Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
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I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule,
2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
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so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.
3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
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You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy.
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
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They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.
5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
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But you - keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
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You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar.
7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
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This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.
8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
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All that's left now is the shouting - God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.
9 Be diligent to come to me soon,
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Get here as fast as you can.
10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
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Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering.
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Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he'll be my right-hand man
12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
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since I'm sending Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
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Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.
14 Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works,
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Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith.
15 of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
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Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he's got coming.
16 At my first defense, no one took my part, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
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At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn't matter -
17 But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Goyim might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
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the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion!
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amein.
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God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
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Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
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Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.
21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
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Try hard to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.
22 The Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amein.
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God be with you. Grace be with you.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.