2 Timothy 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead, in the light of his appearance and his reign,

Moffatt⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead, in the light of his appearance and his reign, ² I adjure you to preach the word; keep at it in season and out of season, refuting, checking, and exhorting men; never lose patience with them, and never give up your teaching, ³ for the time will come when people will decline to be taught sound doctrine and will accumulate teachers to suit themselves and tickle their own fancies; ⁴ they will give up listening to the Truth and turn to myths. ⁵ Whatever happens, be self-possessed, flinch from no suffering, do your work as an evangelist, and discharge all your duties as a minister. ⁶ The last drops of my own sacrifice are falling; my time to go has come. ⁷ I have fought in the good fight; I have run my course; I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now the crown of a good life awaits me, with which the Lord, that just Judge, will reward me on the great Day — and not only me but all who have loved and longed for his appearance. ⁹ Do your best to come soon to me, ¹⁰ for Demas, in his love for this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens is off to Gaul, Titus to Dalmatia, ¹¹ Luke is the only one who is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him along with you, for he is of great use in helping me. ¹² (I have had to send Tychicus to Ephesus.) ¹³ When you come, bring the mantle I left at Troas with Carpus, also my books, and particularly my paper. ¹⁴ Alexander the blacksmith has done me a lot of harm: the Lord will pay him back for what he has done (beware of him), ¹⁵ for he has been bitterly hostile to anything I have said. ¹⁶ The first time I had to defend myself, I had no supporters; everyone deserted me. God grant it may not be brought up against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord supported me and gave me strength to make a full statement of the gospel and let all the heathen hear it. I was rescued from the jaws of the lion. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every assault of evil, he will bring me safe to his own realm in heaven. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen. ¹⁹ Salute Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed on at Corinth: I left Trophimus ill at Miletus. ²¹ Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you; so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brotherhood. ²² The Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.