A New Translation of Paul’s Second Letter to

Timothy

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

You vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of you, you, your, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

2 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of  life which is in Christ Jesus.

2 To Timothy, beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a clean conscience, as I have unceasing remembrance of you in my supplications, night and day

4 longing to see you, reminded of your tears, that I might be filled with joy;

5 reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and, I am confident, in you also.

6 For which cause I remind you to stir up (the Greek word refers to stirring up a fire to get it blazing again) the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7 For God did not give us a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but share in suffering evil for the gospel according to the power of God;

9 who saved us, and called us to a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times everlasting,

10 but having now been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought to light life and incorruption through the gospel,

11 into which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

12 For which cause also I suffer these things: but I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him to that day.

13 Hold the form of sound words which you heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 The good thing which was committed to you guard through the Holy Spirit which dwells in us.

15 This you know, that all in Asia have turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord give mercy to the household of Onesiphorus: because he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;

17 but, when he was in Rome, he quickly searched for me and found me

18 –May the Lord grant to him to find mercy of the Lord in that day--; and how many things he ministered in Ephesus, you know better than I.

2 Timothy 2

1 You therefore, my child, be empowered in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And what things you heard from me through many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men, who will be competent to teach others also.

3 Suffer evil with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No one doing military service involves himself in the business affairs of life; that he may please the one who enlisted him as soldier.

5 But also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned, unless he compete lawfully.

6 The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the fruits.

7 Think about what I am saying: for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

9 in which I suffer evil to the point of bonds, as a criminal; but the word of God has not been bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also might obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with everlasting glory.

11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

13 if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of God (some manuscripts say “in the sight of the Lord”), not to fight about words, to no use, to the overturning of them that hear.

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, correctly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane empty speech: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

17 and their word will feed like gangrene: of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 men who have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and are overthrowing the faith of some.

19 But nevertheless the firm foundation of God has stood, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his: and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord forsake unrighteousness.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay; and some for honor, and some for dishonor.

21 If anyone therefore purge himself from these, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful for the master, prepared for every good work.

22 But flee from youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those calling on the Lord out of a clean heart.

23 But refuse foolish and uneducated debates, knowing that they generate fights.

24 And the Lord's slave ought not to be fighting, but gentle towards all, able to teach, enduring evil,

25 in mildness educating them that put themselves in opposition; perhaps God may give them repentance into the full knowledge of truth,

26 and they may come to their senses out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him for his will.

2 Timothy 3

1 But know this, that in the last days dangerous times will come.

2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 without affection, implacable, accusers, without self-control, savage, not lovers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5 having a form of godliness, but having denied the power of it. From these turn away.

6 For out of these are those who sneak into houses, and take captive foolish women piled up with sins, led by various desires,

7 always learning, and never able to come to full knowledge of truth.

8 And just as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so do these also stand against the truth: Men corrupted in mind, reprobate ( or rejected, worthless, unapproved) concerning the faith.

9 But they will proceed no further, for their stupidity will be quite evident to all, as theirs (i.e. Jannes’ and Jambres’) also came to be.

10 But you followed my teaching, lead, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

11 persecutions, sufferings, such as happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra; what kind of persecutions I endured. And out of them all, the Lord delivered me.

12 But all who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

13 But evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.

14 But you remain in the things you learned and have come to believe, knowing from whom you learned them.

15 And that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise into salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is inspired of God (literally “breathed of God”) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

17 That the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 4

1 I charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

2 preach the word; be ready in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, encourage, with all patience and teaching.

3 For the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine; but according to their own desires, they will pile up for themselves teachers who will tickle their ears;

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, but will be turned aside to myths.

5 But you be watchful in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith:

8 Furthermore there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

9 Do your best to come quickly to me:

10 for Demas deserted me, having loved this present age, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you; for he is quite useful to me for ministering.

12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil, --the Lord will repay him according to his works--,

15 against whom you also be on guard; for he excessively stood against our words.

16 In my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me, --may it not be laid to their account--,

17 But the Lord stood by me, and empowered me; that through me the preaching might me fully accomplished, and all the nations might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me into his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus remained in Corinth: but Trophimus, being sick, I left in Miletus.

21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.