For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel,

Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned!

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds.

Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day.

He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.

This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.

Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.