2 Timothy New Living Translation (NLT)

chapter 1

Greetings from Paul

1This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, sent out to tell others about the life he has

promised through faith in Christ Jesus.

2It is written to Timothy, my dear son.

May God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Encouragement to Be Faithful

3Timothy, I thank God for you. He is the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night

and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we

parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

5I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your

grandmother, Lois. 6This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my

hands on you. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

8So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even

though I'm in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the

proclamation of the Good News.

9It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because

that was his plan long before the world began--to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.

10And now he has made all of this plain to us by the coming of Christ Jesus, our Savior, who broke the power

of death and showed us the way to everlasting life through the Good News. 11And God chose me to be a

preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.

12And that is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I

trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

13Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith and love

that you have in Christ Jesus. 14With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has

been entrusted to you.

15As you know, all the Christians who came here from the province of Asia have deserted me; even Phygelus

and Hermogenes are gone. 16May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he

often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in prison. 17When he came to

Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. 18May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of

Christ's return. And you know how much he helped me at Ephesus.

chapter 2

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

1Timothy, my dear son, be strong with the special favor God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2You have heard me

teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to

trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.

3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself

become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his

army. 5Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified

and wins no prize. 6Hardworking farmers are the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7Think about what I am

saying. The Lord will give you understanding in all these things.

8Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David's family and that he was raised from the dead.

This is the Good News I preach. 9And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been

chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10I am willing to endure anything if it will bring

salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

11This is a true saying:

If we die with him,

we will also live with him.

If we endure hardship,

we will reign with him.

If we deny him,

he will deny us.

If we are unfaithful,

he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself.

An Approved Worker

14Remind everyone of these things, and command them in God's name to stop fighting over words. Such

arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 15Work hard so God can approve you. Be a

good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16Avoid

godless, foolish discussions that lead to more and more ungodliness. 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer.

Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of this. 18They have left the path of truth, preaching the lie that the

resurrection of the dead has already occurred; and they have undermined the faith of some.

19But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are

his," and "Those who claim they belong to the Lord must turn away from all wickedness."

20In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The

expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21If you keep

yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready

for the Master to use you for every good work.

22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue

faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

23Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24The Lord's servants

must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with

difficult people. 25They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those

people's hearts, and they will believe the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the

Devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

chapter 3

The Dangers of the Last Days

1You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2For people will

love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their

parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will

slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. 4They will

betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5They will act as

if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from

people like that.

6They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who

are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by many desires. 7Such women are forever following new

teachings, but they never understand the truth. 8And these teachers fight the truth just as Jannes and

Jambres fought against Moses. Their minds are depraved, and their faith is counterfeit. 9But they won't get

away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as happened with Jannes

and Jambres.

Pauls Charge to Timothy

10But you know what I teach, Timothy, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith and

how long I have suffered. You know my love and my patient endurance. 11You know how much persecution

and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra--but

the Lord delivered me from all of it. 12Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will

suffer persecution. 13But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will go on deceiving others, and they

themselves will be deceived.

14But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know

you can trust those who taught you. 15You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they

have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is

inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It

straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully

equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.

chapter 4

1 And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus--who will someday judge the living and the

dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is

favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and

will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. 4They will reject the truth and follow

strange myths.

5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing

others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you.

Pauls Final Words

6As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7I have

fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8And now the prize awaits

me--the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his

return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.

9Please come as soon as you can. 10Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has

gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me.

Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you

come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.

14Alexander the coppersmith has done me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15Be

careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

16The first time I was brought before the judge, no one was with me. Everyone had abandoned me. I hope it

will not be counted against them. 17But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, that I might preach

the Good News in all its fullness for all the Gentiles to hear. And he saved me from certain death. 18Yes, and

the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly Kingdom. To God be the

glory forever and ever. Amen.

Pauls Final Greetings

19Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living at the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed

at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.

21Hurry so you can get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia,

and all the brothers and sisters.

22May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.