CHAPTER 1 **1** Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, **2** To Timothy, _my_ dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, _and_ peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. **3** I thank God, whom I serve from _my_ forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; **4** Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; **5** When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. **6** Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. **7** For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. **8** Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; **9** Who hath saved us, and called _us_ with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, **10** But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: **11** Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. **12** For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. **13** Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. **14** That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. **15** This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. **16** The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: **17** But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found _me_. **18** The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. CHAPTER 2 **1** Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. **2** And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. **3** Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. **4** No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of _this_ life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. **5** And if a man also strive for masteries, _yet_ is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. **6** The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. **7** Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. **8** Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: **9** Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, _even_ unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. **10** Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. **11** _It is_ a faithful saying: For if we be dead with _him_, we shall also live with _him_: **12** If we suffer, we shall also reign with _him_: if we deny _him_, he also will deny us: **13** If we believe not, _yet_ he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. **14** Of these things put _them_ in remembrance, charging _them_ before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, _but_ to the subverting of the hearers. **15** Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. **16** But shun profane _and_ vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. **17** And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; **18** Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. **19** Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. **20** But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. **21** If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, _and_ prepared unto every good work. **22** Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. **23** But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. **24** And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all _men_, apt to teach, patient, **25** In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; **26** And _that_ they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. CHAPTER 3 **1** This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. **2** For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, **3** Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, **4** Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; **5** Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. **6** For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, **7** Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. **8** Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. **9** But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all _men_, as their’s also was. **10** But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, **11** Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of _them_ all the Lord delivered me. **12** Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. **13** But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. **14** But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned _them_; **15** And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. **16** All scripture _is_ given by inspiration of God, and _is_ profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: **17** That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. CHAPTER 4 **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; **2** Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. **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; **4** And they shall turn away _their_ ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. **5** But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. **6** For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. **7** I have fought a good fight, I have finished _my_ course, I have kept the faith: **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. **9** Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: **10** For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. **11** Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. **12** And Tychicus have I sent 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. **14** Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: **15** Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. **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. **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. **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. **19** Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. **20** Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. **21** Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. **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.