Preach the Word
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1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, 2who is to judge the living and the dead, and by 3his appearing and his kingdom:
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preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; 4reprove, rebuke, and 5exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
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6For the time is coming when people will not endure 7sounda teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
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As for you, 10always be sober-minded, 11endure suffering, do the work of 12an evangelist, 13fulfill your ministry.
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Henceforth there is 18laid up for me 19the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 20the righteous judge, will award to me on 21that Day, and not only to me but also to all 22who have loved his appearing.
Personal Instructions
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23Do your best to come to me soon.
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For 24Demas, 25in love with 26this present world, 27has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,b28Titus to Dalmatia.
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29Luke alone is with me. Get 30Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
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31Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
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When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
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Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.
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At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. 34May it not be charged against them!
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But 35the Lord stood by me and 36strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and 37all the Gentiles might hear it. So 38I was rescued 39from the lion's mouth.
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The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 40To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
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Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left 43Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)