12. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me the strength for my work because he knew that he could trust me.
13. I used to say terrible and insulting things about him, and I was cruel. But he had mercy on me because I didn't know what I was doing, and I had not yet put my faith in him.
14. Christ Jesus our Lord was very kind to me. He has greatly blessed my life with faith and love just like his own.
15. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst sinner of all!
16. But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life.
17. I pray that honour and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives for ever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.
18. Timothy, my son, the instructions I am giving you are based on what some prophets once said about you. If you follow these instructions, you will fight like a good soldier.
19. You will be faithful and have a clear conscience. Some people have made a mess of their faith because they didn't listen to their consciences.
20. Two of them are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I have given these men over to the power of Satan, so they will learn not to oppose God.