King James Version KJV
The Message Bible MSG
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick 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 instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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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 endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
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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 they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
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They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy 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 now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
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You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my 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 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love 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 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
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Get here as fast as you can.
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto 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 thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
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Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he'll be my right-hand man
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
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since I'm sending Tychicus to Ephesus.
13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but 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 me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
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Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith.
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood 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 answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
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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 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles 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 shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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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 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
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Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
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Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
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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 Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. [The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.]
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God be with you. Grace be with you.
The King James 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.