CHAPTER 4
I charge you
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:
Preach
the
word;
be prepared
in season
and out of season;
reprove,
rebuke,
and encourage
with
every form of
patient
instruction.
For
the time
will come
when
men will not tolerate
sound
doctrine,
but
with itching
ears
they will gather around
themselves
teachers
to suit
their
own
desires.
But
you,
be sober
in
all things,
endure hardship,
do
the work
of an evangelist,
fulfill
your
ministry.
From now on
the
crown
of righteousness
is laid up
for me,
which
the
Lord,
the
righteous
judge,
will award
to me
on
that
day—
and
not
only
to me,
but
to all
who
crave
His
appearing.
because
Demas,
in his love of
this
world,
has deserted
me
and
gone
to
Thessalonica.
Crescens has gone
to
Galatia,
and Titus
to
Dalmatia.
Only
Luke
is
with
me.
Get
Mark
and bring him
with
you,
because
he is
useful
to me
in
the ministry.
When you come,
bring
the
cloak
that
I left
with
Carpus
at
Troas,
and
my
scrolls,
especially
the
parchments.
At
my
first
defense,
no one
stood with
me,
but
everyone
deserted
me.
May it not be charged
against them.
But
the
Lord
stood by
me
and
strengthened
me,
so that
through
me
the
message
would be fully proclaimed,
and
all
the
Gentiles
would hear it.
So
I was delivered
from
the mouth
of the lion.
And the
Lord
will rescue
me
from
every
evil
action
and
bring me safely
into
His
heavenly
kingdom.
To Him be
the
glory
forever
and
ever.
Amen.
Make every effort
to come to me
before
winter.
Eubulus
sends you greetings,
as do
Pudens,
Linus,
Claudia,
and
all
the
brothers.