NETfree - II Timothy

Chapter 1

1:1  From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

1:2  to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

1:3  I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

1:4  As I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

1:5  I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.

1:6  Because of this I remind you to rekindle God's gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands.

1:7  For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1:8  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God's power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.

1:9  He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

1:10  but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!

1:11  For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.

1:12  Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.

1:13  Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1:14  Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

1:15  You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

1:16  May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.

1:17  But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me.

1:18  May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.

Chapter 2

2:1  So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2:2  And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

2:3  Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2:4  No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

2:5  Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules.

2:6  The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.

2:7  Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.

2:8  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel,

2:9  for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned!

2:10  So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.

2:11  This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.

2:12  If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

2:13  If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.

2:14  Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.

2:15  Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

2:16  But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,

2:17  and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.

2:18  They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith.

2:19  However, God's solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil."

2:20  Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

2:21  So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

2:22  But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2:23  But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting.

2:24  And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

2:25  correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

2:26  and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will.

Chapter 3

3:1  But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

3:2  For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3:3  unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,

3:4  treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.

3:5  They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

3:6  For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

3:7  Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

3:8  And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people - who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith - also oppose the truth.

3:9  But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

3:10  You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,

3:11  as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all.

3:12  Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

3:13  But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

3:14  You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you

3:15  and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

3:16  Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

3:17  that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

Chapter 4

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, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

4:3  For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

4:4  And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.

4:5  You, however, be self-controlled 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 is at hand.

4:7  I have competed well; 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 his appearing.

4:9  Make every effort to come to me soon.

4:10  For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. 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 to me in ministry.

4:12  Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

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. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.

4:15  You be on guard against him 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 would be fully proclaimed 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 into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.

4:19  Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.

4:20  Erastus stayed in Corinth. 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.

4:22  The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.