| The Message (MSG) |
New International Version (NIV) |
|
1 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus.
|
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
|
|
2 I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!
|
2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
|
|
3 Every time I say your name in prayer - which is practically all the time - I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors.
|
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
|
|
4 I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.
|
4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
|
|
5 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith - and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you!
|
5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
|
|
6 And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze!
|
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
|
| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
