2 Timothy 4

1 I charge you [solemnly command, testify before] in the presence of God [the supreme deity, Creator] and of Christ Jesus [the Anointed One, Messiah], who will judge [make a decision, condemn or punish] the living [those having physical or spiritual life] and the dead [those without physical or spiritual life], and in view of His appearing [manifestation, revelation] and His kingdom [royal power, dominion]: word study 2 Preach [proclaim, herald] the word [Logos, divine message]; be prepared [stand ready, urgent] in season [at the right time, conveniently] and out of season [inconveniently, at the wrong time]; reprove [correct, show fault], rebuke [warn, convict], and encourage [comfort, plead with] with every form of patient [longsuffering, enduring] instruction [teaching, doctrine]. word study 3 For the time [a specific season, the right moment] will come when men will not tolerate [endure, put up with] sound [healthy, uncorrupt] doctrine [teaching, instruction], but with itching [scratching, craving] ears they will gather around themselves teachers [instructors, leaders] to suit their own [private, personal] desires [longings, cravings]. word study 4 So they will turn [shut, stop listening to] their ears away from [apostatize, turn their backs on] the truth [reality, what is genuine] and turn aside [wander off, be turned unto] to [follow, give heed to] myths [fables, fictional stories]. word study 5 But you [as a minister of God], be sober [morally alert, discreet] in all things [every circumstance], endure [suffer, undergo] hardship [afflictions, troubles], do the work [occupation, act] of an evangelist [preacher of the gospel], fulfill [complete, accomplish] your ministry [service, work of helping others]. word study 6 For I [as a willing sacrifice] am already being poured out [devoted to God] like a drink offering, and the time [season, opportune moment] of my departure [loosing, release from life] is at hand [near, approaching]. word study 7 I have fought [striven, contended with] the good [fair, beautiful] fight, I have finished [completed, executed] the race [course, career], I have kept [observed, watched over] the faith [trust, confidence in God]. word study 8 From now on [henceforth, from this point forward] there is laid up [reserved, stored away] for me the crown [wreath, symbol of honor] of righteousness [living according to God’s will, being just], which the Lord [the One who judges fairly], the righteous Judge [the One who judges fairly], will award [give, pay] to me on that day [at the time of judgment, in the future]—and not only [exclusively] to me, but to all [every one] who crave [love, long for] His appearing [manifestation, revelation]. word study 9 Make every effort [be diligent, try hard] to come [to go, to arrive] to me [towards me, with me] quickly [soon, at once], word study 10 because Demas [having loved this present world, deserted me], in his love [agape, affection] of this world [the earthly realm, earthly things], has deserted [forsaken, abandoned] me and gone [traveled, departed] to Thessalonica [a major city in ancient Macedonia]. Crescens [a growing, flourishing disciple] has gone [journeyed, traveled] to Galatia [a region in Asia], and Titus [a faithful companion] to Dalmatia [a region in Europe]. word study 11 Only Luke [the beloved physician and Gospel writer] is with me [in my company, as a companion]. Get Mark [a helpful servant, useful for ministry] and bring him with you [to accompany, to be a helper], because he is [proven to be, demonstrated as] useful [helpful, profitable] to me [for my benefit, in my service] in the ministry [the work of serving others, spiritual service]. word study 12 Tychicus [a faithful Christian helper], however, I have sent [dispatched on a mission, set apart] to Ephesus [a major city in Asia Minor, an important center of Christianity]. word study 13 When you come, bring the cloak [outer garment, mantle] that I left [abandoned, behind] with Carpus [a Christian helper] at Troas [a city in Asia Minor], and my scrolls [written documents, books], especially [mostly, above all] the parchments [written sheep-skins, leather books]. word study 14 Alexander [metalworker] the coppersmith did great [much, severe] harm [evil, wrong] to me. The Lord [God, Master] will repay [render, reward] him according to [in line with, matching] his deeds [works, actions]. word study 15 You [also] too should beware [be on the watch, be aware] of him, for he has vigorously [greatly, exceedingly] opposed [stood against, withstood] our message [words, preaching, the truth we proclaim]. word study 16 At my first [initial] defense [answer, trial], no one [nobody, none] stood with me [supported, assisted me], but [on the contrary] everyone [all, every person] deserted [forsook, abandoned] me [left me alone]. May it [this action, this sin] not [never, by no means] be charged [laid, reckoned] against them [to their account, as a fault]. word study 17 But the Lord [God, the supreme ruler] stood by me [was present with me, supported me] and strengthened me [empowered me, gave me courage], so that through me [by my means, because of me] the message [preaching, proclamation of the gospel] would be fully proclaimed [clearly declared, fully known], and all the Gentiles [non-Jewish people, nations] would hear it [listen, understand]. So I was delivered [rescued, freed] from the mouth [power, control] of the lion [a fierce enemy]. word study 18 And the Lord [God, the supreme ruler] will rescue [deliver, save] me from every [all, each] evil [wicked, bad] action [work, deed] and bring me safely [preserve, protect] into His [belonging to Him] heavenly [in heaven, celestial] kingdom [realm, dominion]. To Him be the glory [honor, praise] forever [always, eternally] and ever [endlessly, perpetually]. Amen [so be it, truly]. word study 19 Greet [salute, pay respects to] Prisca [a Christian woman, ancient one] and Aquila [an Israelite, helper of Paul], as well as [and, also] the household [house, family] of Onesiphorus [profit-bearer, helper of Paul]. word study 20 Erastus [stayed on, remained] has remained at Corinth [a city in Greece], and Trophimus [I had to leave behind, departed from] I left [behind, sick and unable to travel] sick [weak, feeble, or infirm] in Miletus [an ancient city in Asia Minor]. word study 21 Make every effort [be diligent, try hard] to come [to go, to arrive] to me before [prior to, in advance of] winter [the stormy season, rainy period]. Eubulus [a Christian brother, a fellow believer] sends you greetings [salutes you, pays his respects], as do [and, also] Pudens [a modest Christian, a humble believer], Linus [a Christian, possibly a leader], Claudia [a Christian woman, a sister in faith], and all [every, the whole] the brothers [fellow Christians, brethren]. word study 22 The Lord [Jesus Christ, the Messiah] be with your [inner] spirit [the vital principle]. Grace [divine favor, unmerited kindness] be with you [collectively] [in accompaniment with] all. word study