4:1 I solemnly charge you before God and Anointed Jesus— the one who is about to judge the living and the dead— and in view of his sudden appearance and kingdom:

4:2 Proclaim the Word; stay at your post, whether it’s convenient or not; refute, rebuke, encourage and teach with the utmost patience.

4:3 For the time will come when they will no longer tolerate sound instruction but will collect teachers who tell them only what they want to hear;

4:4 in fact, they’ll turn away from truth and toward fables.

4:5 But you must be clear-headed in everything. Put up with suffering, and be fully confident in your task of spreading the Gospel.

4:6 For I am already being poured out like an offering and the time of my departure is at hand.

4:7 I have played my best game and finished the race; I have guarded the faith.

4:8 At last, the Righteousness Award is reserved for me, which the Master, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day… and not only to me, but also to all who eagerly anticipate his sudden appearance.

4:9 Try your best to come to me quickly,

4:10 because Demas loved this world and deserted me. He went into Thessalonica, Crescens went into Galatia, and Titus went into Dalmatia.

4:11 Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark to go with you, because I could use his help in this service.

4:12 I sent Tychicus into Ephesus.

4:13 Oh, and bring the coat I left behind with Carpas in Troas, along with the scrolls, and especially the set of parchments.

4:14 Alexander the coppersmith caused me a lot of harm; the Master will pay him back for what he did!

4:15 Be on your guard against him, because he was very much opposed to our words.

4:16 At my first defense not one person stood beside me; they all deserted me. But may it not be charged against them,

4:17 because the Master stood with me and empowered me. In this way the proclamation may be fully accomplished through me, and all the non-Judeans may hear. I escaped from the lion’s mouth!

4:18 The Master will get me through all the wiles of the evil one and deliver me into his heavenly kingdom. All honor through the ages truly belongs to him!

4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was ill.

4:21 Try your best to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

4:22 May the Master be with your spirit, and grant favor to you all.