| Chapter 4 |
1 | I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,
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2 | proclaim the word; be urgent in season [and] out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage, with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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3 | For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;
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4 | and they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables.
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5 | But thou, be sober in all things, bear evils, do [the] work of an evangelist, fill up the full measure of thy ministry.
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6 | For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is come.
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7 | I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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8 | Henceforth the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will render to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all who love his appearing.
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9 | Use diligence to come to me quickly;
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10 | for Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present age, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
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11 | Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring [him] with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry.
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12 | But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
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13 | The cloak which I left behind [me] in Troas at Carpus's, bring when thou comest, and the books, especially the parchments.
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14 | Alexander the smith did many evil things against me. The Lord will render to him according to his works.
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15 | Against whom be thou also on thy guard, for he has greatly withstood our words.
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16 | At my first defence no man stood with me, but all deserted me. May it not be imputed to them.
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17 | But the Lord stood with [me], and gave me power, that through me the proclamation might be fully made, and all [those of] the nations should hear; and I was delivered out of the lion's mouth.
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18 | The Lord shall deliver me from every wicked work, and shall preserve [me] for his heavenly kingdom; to whom [be] glory for the ages of ages. Amen.
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19 | Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
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20 | Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus sick.
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21 | Use diligence to come before winter. Eubulus salutes thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and the brethren all.
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22 | The Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Grace [be] with you.
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