1. I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2. Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.
3. For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.
4. And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.
5. You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.
6. For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.
7. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!
8. Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
9. Make every effort to come to me soon.
10. For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.
11. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.
12. Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.