1I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge4:1 Jn 5:22–30; Rm 5:18; 1Pt 4:5 the living and the dead,4:1 Jn 5:25; Rm 14:9; 1Pt 4:5; Rv 18:8; 19:11 and because of his appearing and his kingdom:4:1 Mk 1:15; Ac 20:25

2Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

3For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine,4:3 Rm 15:4 but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear.

4They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.4:4 1Tm 1:4; 4:7; Ti 1:14; 2Pt 1:16

5But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,4:5 Ac 21:8; Eph 4:11 fulfill your ministry.

9Make every effort to come to me soon,4:9 Ti 3:12

10because Demas4:10 Col 4:14; Phm 24 has deserted me,4:10 2Tm 1:15 since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica.4:10 Ac 17:1 Crescens has gone to Galatia,4:10 Gl 1:2 Titus4:10 Ti 1:4 to Dalmatia.

11Only Luke4:11 Col 4:14; Phm 24 is with me. Bring Mark4:11 Ac 15:37–39 with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.

12I have sent Tychicus4:12 Ac 20:4; Ti 3:12 to Ephesus.

13When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas4:13 Ac 16:8 with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments.

14Alexander4:14 1Tm 1:20 the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works.

15Watch out4:15 2Tm 1:14; 2Pt 3:17 for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

19Greet Prisca and Aquila,4:19 Ac 18:2 and the household of Onesiphorus.4:19 2Tm 1:16

20Erastus4:20 Ac 19:22; Rm 16:23 has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus4:20 Ac 20:4; 21:29 sick at Miletus.4:20 Ac 20:15,17

21Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.