4:1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 4:2 Preach the message, 1 be ready 2 whether it is convenient or not, 3 reprove, rebuke, exhort 4 with complete patience and instruction. 4:3 For there will be a time when people 5 will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, 6 they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 7 4:4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. 8 4:5 You, however, be self-controlled 9 in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 4:6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart 10 is at hand. 4:7 I have competed well; 11 I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 4:8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on 12 his appearing.
4:9 Make every effort to come to me soon. 4:10 For Demas deserted me, since he loved 13 the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. 14 Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help 15 to me in ministry. 16 4:12 Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 17 4:13 When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. 18 The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. 19 4:15 You be on guard against him 20 too, because he vehemently opposed our words. 4:16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message 21 would be fully proclaimed 22 for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! 4:18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely 23 into his heavenly kingdom. To him 24 be glory for ever and ever! 25 Amen.
4:19 Greetings to 26 Prisca and Aquila 27 and the family of Onesiphorus. 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth. 28 Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 4:21 Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 29 4:22 The Lord 30 be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 31