2 Timothy 4
Paul charges Timothy to preach the word in season and out of season, warning that the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine but will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. Paul declares that he has fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith, and that a crown of righteousness is laid up for him which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; | I charge You therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: |
| 2 | Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. | Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. |
| 3 | For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; | For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts they shall heap up for themselves teachers, having itching ears. |
| 4 | And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. | They shall turn away their ears from the truth and be turned to fables. |
| 5 | But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. | But watch in all things; endure afflictions; do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of Your ministry. |
| 6 | For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. | For I am now ready to be poured out as an offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. |
| 7 | I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: | I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. |
| 8 | Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. | From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day — and not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing. |
| 9 | Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: | Do Your diligence to come to me shortly. |
| 10 | For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. | For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. |
| 11 | Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. | Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is profitable to me for the ministry. |
| 12 | And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. | I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. |
| 13 | The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. | When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books — especially the parchments. |
| 14 | Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: | Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. The Lord will repay Him according to His works. |
| 15 | Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. | Be on guard against him yourself, for he has greatly opposed our words. |
| 16 | At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. | At my first defense no one stood with me — all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. |
| 17 | Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. | But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. |
| 18 | And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. | And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
| 19 | Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. | Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. |
| 20 | Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. | Erastus stayed at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletum. |
| 21 | Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. | Do your diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. |
| 22 | The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. | The Lord Jesus Christ be with Your spirit. Grace be with You. Amen. |