The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 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,
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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;
2 so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.
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Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 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.
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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;
4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.
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And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 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.
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But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar.
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For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.
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I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 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.
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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.
9 Get here as fast as you can.
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Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia.
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For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he'll be my right-hand man
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Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12 since I'm sending Tychicus to Ephesus.
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And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13 Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.
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The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith.
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Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he's got coming.
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Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn't matter -
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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.
17 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!
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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.
18 God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
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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.
19 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus.
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Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.
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Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21 Try hard to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.
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Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 God be with you. Grace be with you.
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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.]
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 King James Version is in the public domain.