1 IThe principal and chief of all admonitions, being therefore proposed with a most earnest charge, is this: that the word of God is explained and set forth with a certain holy urgent exhorting, as necessity requires: but in such a way that a good and true ground of the doctrine is laid, and the vehemency is tempered with all holy meekness.charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the worde: be instant, in season and out of season: improue, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 Faithful pastors in times past took all occasions they could, because men were very prompt and ready to return to their fables.For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned untoTo false and unprofitable doctrines which the world is now so bewitched with, that it would rather have the open light of the truth completely put out, than it would come out of darkness.fables.
5 The wickedness and falling away of the world ought to cause faithful ministers to be so much the more careful.But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,Prove and show by good and substantial proof, that you are the true minister of God.make full proof of thy ministry.
6 He foretells his death to be at hand, and sets before them an excellent example, both of invincible constancy, and sure hope.For I am now ready to beTo be offered for a drink offering: and he alludes to the pouring out of blood or wine which was used in sacrifices.offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I haue fought a good fight, and haue finished my course: I haue kept the faith.
8 For hence foorth is laide vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse, which the Lorde the righteous iudge shall giue me at that day: and not to me onely, but vnto all them also that loue that his appearing.
9 The last part of the epistle, setting forth grievous complaints against certain ones, and examples of singular godliness in every place, and of a mind never wearied.Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, havingContented himself with this world.loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Onely Luke is with me. Take Marke and bring him with thee: for he is profitable vnto me to minister.
12 And Tychicus haue I sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou commest, bring with thee, and the bookes, but specially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much euill: the Lorde rewarde him according to his workes.
15 Of whome be thou ware also: for he withstoode our preaching sore.
16 At my first answering no man assisted me, but all forsooke me: I pray God, that it may not be laide to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of theOf Nero.lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from everyPreserve me pure from committing anything unworthy of my apostleship.evil work, and will preserve [me] unto hisTo make me partaker of his kingdom.heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the householde of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinthus: Trophimus I left at Miletum sicke.
21 Make speede to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, & Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lorde Iesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you, Amen. The second Epistle writte from Rome vnto Timotheus, the first Bishop elected of the Church of Ephesus, when Paul was presented the second time before the Emperour Nero.
