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The Second Epistle of St Paul the Apostle
Unto Timothy

The 1st Chapter
     Paul an Apostle of *Jesu Christ, by the will of God, to preach the promise of life, which life is in Christ Jesu.
     To Timothy his beloved son. *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus
     Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesu our Lord.
     I thank God, whom I serve from mine elders with pure conscience, that without ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers night and day, desiring to see you, mindful of your tears: so that I am filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the *unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunica: and am assured that it dwells in you also. *unfeigned (not made up, true)
     Wherefore I warn you that you stir up the gift of God which is in you, by the putting on of my hands. For God has not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of soberness of mind. Be not ashamed to testify our Lord, neither be ashamed of me, which am bound for his sake: but suffer you adversity also with the Gospell, through the power of God, which saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our deeds, but according to his own purpose and grace, which grace was given us through Christ *Jesu before the world was, but is now declared openly by the appearing of our saviour Jesu Christ which has put away death, and has brought life and immortality unto light through the Gospell, whereunto I am appointed, a preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles: for the which cause I also suffer these things. Nevertheless I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am sure that he is able keep that which I have committed to his keeping, against that day. *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus
     See you have the example of the wholesome words which you heard of me, in faith and love which is in Jesu Christ. That, that good thing, which was committed to your keeping, keep in the holy ghost which dwells in us. This you know how that all they which are in Asia, be turned from me. Of which sort are Phigelos and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but when he was at Rome, besought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy with the Lord at that day. And in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus you know very well.

The 2nd Chapter
     You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesu. And what things you have heard of me many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men, which are apt to teach other (others). You therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesu Christ. No man that wars, entangles himself with worldly business, and that because he would please him that has chosen him to be a soldier. And though a man strive for a mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that labors must first receive of the fruits. Consider what I say. The Lord give you understanding in all things.
     Remember that Jesus Christ being of the seed of David, rose again from death according to my Gospell, wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds. But the word of God was not bound. Herefore I suffer all things, for the elects sakes, that they might also obtain that salvation which is in Christ Jesu, with eternal glory.
     It is a true saying, if we be dead with him we also shall live with him. If we be patient, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also shall deny us. If we believe not, yet abides he faithful. He cannot deny him self. Of these things put them in remembrance, and testify before the Lord, that they strive not about words: which is to no profit, but to pervert the hearers.
     Study to show yourself laudable (honorable, praised) unto God a workman that needs not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth justly. Unghostly and vain voices pass over. For they shall increase unto greater ungodliness, and their words shall fret even as does a cancre (canker, cancer?): of whose number is Hymeneous and Philetos, which as concerning the truth have errored, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of diverse (different, contradictory) persons.
     But the sure ground of God remains, and has this seal: the Lord knows them that are his, and let every man that calls on the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Not withstanding in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of earth, some for honour, and some unto dishonour. But if a man purge him self from such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour, meet (worthy) for the Lord, and prepared unto all good works.
     Lusts of youth avoid, and follow righteousness, faith, love and peace, with them that call on the Lord with pure heart. Foolish and unlearned questions put from you, remembering that they do but gender strife. But the servant of the Lord must not strive: but must be peaceable unto all men, and apt to teach, and one that can suffer the evil in meekness, and can inform them that resist, if that God at any time will give them repentance for to know the truth: that they may come to them selves again out of the snare of the devil, which are now taken of him at his will.

The 3rd Chapter
     This understand, that in the last days shall come parlous times. For the men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy, unkind, trucebreakers, stubborn, false accusers, rioters, fierce despisers of them which are good, traitors, heady, high minded, greedy upon voluptuousness more then lovers of God, having a similitude of Godly living, but have denied the power thereof: and such abhor. Of this sort are they which enter into houses, and bring into bondage women laden with sin, which women are led of diverse (various) lusts, ever learning and never able to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
     As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, even so do these resist the truth, men they are of corrupt minds, and lewd as concerning the faith: but they shall prevail no longer. For their madness shall be uttered unto all men as theirs was. But you have seen the experience of my doctrine, fashion of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, and afflictions which happened unto me at Antioche, at Iconium and at Lystra: which persecutions I suffered patiently. And from them all the Lord delivered me. Yes and all that will live godly in Christ *Jesu, must suffer persecutions. But the evil men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse, while they deceive and are deceived themselves. *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus
     But continue you in the things which you have learned, which also were committed unto you, seeing you know of whom you have learned them and for as much also as you have known holy scripture of a child, which is able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesu. For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend and to instruct in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect and prepared unto all good works.

The 4th Chapter
     I testify therefore before God, and before the Lord Jesu Christ, which shall judge quick and dead at his appearing in his kingdom, preach the word, be fervent, be it in season or out of season. Improve, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come, when they will not suffer (allow) wholesome doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they (whose ears itch) get them an heap of teachers, and shall turn their ears from the truth, and shall be given unto fables. But watch you in all things, and suffer adversity, and do the work of an Evangelist, fulfil your office unto the utmost.
     For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at hand. I have fought a good fight, and have fulfilled my course, and have kept the faith. From from this time on is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord that is a righteous judge shall give me at that day: not to me only but unto all them that love his coming. Make speed to come unto me at once.
     For Demas has left me and has loved this present world, and is departed into Thessalonica. Crescens is gone to Galatia, and Titus unto Dalmacia. Only Lucas is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is necessary unto me, for to minister. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troada with Carpus, when you come, bring with you, and the books, but specially the parchment. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil the Lord reward him according to his deeds, of whom be you ware also. For he withstood our preaching sore.
     At my first answering, no man assisted me, but all forsook me. I pray God, that it may not be laid to their charges: not withstanding the Lord assisted me, and strengthed me, that by me the preaching should be fulfilled to the utmost, and that all the Gentiles should hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from all evil doing, and shall keep me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be praise for ever and ever. Amen.
     Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth. Trophimos I left at Miletum sick. Make speed to come before winter. Eubolus greeteh you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you: Amen.

The end of the second epistle unto Timothy.
Written from Rome when Paul was presented
the second time up before the Emperor Nero.

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