|
[1] PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and by the promise of life which is in Jesus Christ,
[2] To Ti-mo'the-us, a dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Jesus Christ our LORD.
[3] I thank God, whom I have served from boyhood with a pure conscience, that I have always remembered you in my prayers night and day.
[4] I am anxious to see you; I still remember your tears; I am filled with joy,
[5] Especially when I am reminded of your true faith, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am sure now in you also.
[6] For this reason, I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hand.
[7] For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of good discipline.
[8] Be not, therefore, ashamed of the testimony of our LORD, nor of me his prisoner; but bear the hardships that go along with the preaching of the gospel through the power of God;
[9] Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own will and his grace, which was given us in Jesus Christ before the world began,
[10] And is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has revealed life and immortality through the gospel;
[11] To which I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
[12] For this cause I suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have trusted, and I am sure he will take care of me until that day.
[13] Let these bright and sound words which you have heard from me abide with you in the faith and love which is in Jesus Christ.
[14] That good thing which was committed to you keep by the help of the Holy Spirit which dwells in us.
[15] This you know: that all those in Asia Minor have turned away from me; of whom are Phy-gel'lus and Her-mog'e-nes.
[16] Let our LORD grant mercy to the house of On-e-siph'o-rus; for he has often refreshed me, and he was not ashamed of the chains of my imprisonment:
[17] But when he was in Rome, he searched for me diligently, and found me.
[18] Let our LORD grant to him, that he may find mercy in heaven, where our LORD is, in that day: and of how he ministered to me at Eph'e-sus, you know very well.
|