Chapter 4
1 I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ , who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2 preach the word ; be urgent in season and out of season ; reprove , rebuke , and exhort with all patience and teaching .
3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine , but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts ,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables .
5 But you be sober in all things , suffer hardship , do the work of an evangelist , and fulfill your ministry .
6 For I am already being offered , and the time of my departure has come .
7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course . I have kept the faith .
8 From now on , the crown of righteousness is stored up for me , which the Lord , the righteous judge , will give to me on that day ; and not to me only , but also to all those who have loved his appearing .
9 Be diligent to come to me soon ,
10 for Demas left me , having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica ; Crescens to Galatia ; and Titus to Dalmatia .
11 Only Luke is with me . Take Mark and bring him with you , for he is useful to me for service .
12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus .
13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come — and the books, especially the parchments .
14 Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me . The Lord will repay him according to his deeds .
15 Beware of him , for he greatly opposed our words .
16 At my first defense, no one came to help me , but all left me . May it not be held against them .
17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me , that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion .
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever . Amen.
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus .
20 Erastus remained at Corinth , but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
21 Be diligent to come before winter . Eubulus salutes you , as do Pudens , Linus , Claudia , and all the brothers.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit . Grace be with you . Amen.