4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4:4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
4:9 Do your best to come to me quickly,
4:10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
4:12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
4:13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
4:15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
4:16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
4:17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19 Greet Priscilla* and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. / *Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
4:21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.* / *The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.