4:1 I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
4:2 preach the word; be ready ①in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and ②exhort, with ③great patience and instruction.
▷ ①I.e., whether it is convenient or not ②Or encourage ③Lit all
4:3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,
4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
4:5 But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
4:8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
4:9 Make every effort to come to me soon;
4:10 for Demas, having loved this present ①world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to ②Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
▷ ①Or age ②One early ms Gaul
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take along Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
4:12 But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
4:13 When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
4:15 Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our ①teaching.
▷ ①Lit words
4:16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
4:17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might ①be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
▷ ①Or be fulfilled
4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will ①bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to ②Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
▷ ①Or save me for ②Lit Whom
4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
4:21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.
4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.