I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith,

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation – a sign which is from God.

And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.

And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.

But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.

By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.

May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.