Preach the Word
1 I 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 4:1charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 10:42who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Titus 2:15Convince, 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15rebuke, 1 Tim. 4:13exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 2 Tim. 3:1For the time will come when they will not endure 1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:13sound doctrine, Is. 30:9–11; Jer. 5:30, 31; 2 Tim. 3:6but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and 1 Tim. 1:4be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, 2 Tim. 1:8endure afflictions, do the work of Acts 21:8an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul’s Valedictory
6 For Phil. 2:17I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (Phil. 1:23); 2 Pet. 1:14my departure is at hand. 7 1 Cor. 9:24–27; Phil. 3:13, 14I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 2:5); James 1:12the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous John 5:22Judge, will give to me 2 Tim. 1:12on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The Abandoned Apostle
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Col. 4:14; Philem. 24Demas has forsaken me, 1 John 2:15having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37–39; Col. 4:10Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21, 22; Col. 4:7; Titus 3:12Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Acts 19:33; 1 Tim. 1:20Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.
16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. Acts 7:60; (1 Cor. 13:5)May it not be charged against them.
The Lord Is Faithful
17 Deut. 31:6; Acts 23:11But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, Acts 9:15; Phil. 1:12so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered 1 Sam. 17:37; Ps. 22:21out of the mouth of the lion. 18 Ps. 121:7; (2 Pet. 2:9)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. Rom. 11:36; Gal. 1:5; Heb. 13:21; 2 Pet. 3:18To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Come Before Winter
19 Greet Acts 18:2; Rom. 16:3Prisca and Aquila, and the household of 2 Tim. 1:16Onesiphorus. 20 Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Acts 20:4; 21:29Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
Farewell
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.