2 Timothy 4

1 Christ Jesus [is going to come back and] judge those who are living [when he comes] and those who will have died. He will judge them [concerning what rewards they deserve, and] he will rule everyone. So, [knowing that] he and God are watching [everything that we do], I solemnly/earnestly command you

I command you therefore before God and Messiah Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his Kingdom:

2 that you proclaim the [true] message to people. Always be ready/prepared [to proclaim it], whether people want to hear it or not. [Some people are saying things that are not correct]; (refute their teaching/show why their teaching is wrong). Rebuke them when they are doing wrong. Tell them what they ought to do. Be very patient while you teach them.

preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

3 [Do these things] because there will be a time when people will not listen to good teaching. Instead, they will bring in many teachers for themselves who will tell them just what they want to hear [IDM]. [The reason that they will bring in such teachers is] that they want to do the evil things that they desire.

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 That is, they will not listen to [MTY] what is true, but will listen instead to [strange] stories from our ancestors.

and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to myths.

5 [Furthermore, I command that] you always control what you think and do. [Be willing] to endure hardships/suffering. Your work should be telling people the message [about Christ Jesus]. As you serve [the Lord], do everything that [God has told] you to do.

But you be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 [Timothy, I say these things to] you because as for me, [it is as though] [MET] [they are now about to kill me. It is as though my blood will] be poured out {they will kill me} [as a sacrifice on the altar]; that is, [I know] that it is the time for me to die [EUP].

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

7 [And as to telling people the] good [message and defending it], I have (exerted myself thoroughly/done it with all my energy) [MET], [like a boxer does. As to doing] the work that God gave me to do, I have completed it, [like a runner who finishes] [MET] the race. [As to] what we believe, I (have been loyal to it/continue to believe it).

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

8 [So, like people award] a prize [MET] [to the winner of a race], the Lord, who judges rightly, will give me a reward [because I have lived] righteously. He will give me that reward when [MTY] [he judges people]. And not only [will he reward] me, but he will also reward all those who very much want him to come back.

From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, 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 (Do your best/Try hard) to come to me soon.

Be diligent to come to me soon,

10 [I say that] because Demas has left me. He wanted very much [the good things that he might enjoy] [MTY] in this world [right now], and so he went to Thessalonica [city]. Crescens [went to serve the Lord] in Galatia [province], and Titus went to Dalmatia [district]. (aiōn g165)

for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. (aiōn g165)

11 Luke is the only one who is still with me [of those who were helping me. And when you come], bring Mark with you, because he is useful to help me in my work.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

12 Tychicus [cannot help me because] I sent him to Ephesus [city].

But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 And when you come, bring the coat that I left with Carpus in Troas [city]. Also, bring the books, but (most of all/especially) [I want] (the parchments/the animal skins) [on which important things are written].

Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.

14 Alexander, the man who makes things from metal, did many evil/harmful things to me. The Lord will punish him for what he did.

Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works,

15 So you, too, must beware of him. [He will try to destroy your work if he can], because he very much opposes the message that we [proclaim].

of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.

16 When I first defended myself [in court here], no one came along [to help defend] me. Instead, they all left me. [I pray] that it will not be counted against {[God] will forgive} them [LIT] [for leaving me].

At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.

17 Nevertheless, the Lord was with me and strengthened me. He enabled me to fully preach the message, and all the non-Jewish people [in the court] (OR, people from many nations) heard it. And I was rescued [by the Lord] {[the Lord] rescued me} [from great danger, as if I were taken] [MET] out of a lion’s (OR, wild animal’s) mouth.

But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the non-Jewish people might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 [Therefore, I am sure that] the Lord will rescue me from everything that is truly evil and will bring me safely to heaven, where he rules. Praise him forever! (Amen!/May it be so!) (aiōn g165)

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)

19 Greet [for me] Priscilla and [her husband] Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth [city]. Trophimus, I left in Miletus [city] because he was sick.

Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus at Miletus, ill.

21 (Do your best/Try hard) to come to me before (the stormy season/winter). Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and many other fellow believers [in this city] (send their greetings to/say that they are thinking affectionately about) you.

Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

22 [I pray that] the Lord will [help you in] your spirit, [Timothy, and] that [he] will act kindly toward all of you [believers who are there].

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.