I have competed well; ¹  I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹ 

You, however, must continue ¹  in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know ²  who taught you ³ 

The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.

You, however, ¹  have followed my teaching, my ²  way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance,

They have strayed from the truth ¹  by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith.

They will maintain the outward appearance ¹  of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. ² 

and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

And just as Jannes and Jambres ¹  opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith ²  – also oppose the truth.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on ¹  his appearing.

I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, ¹  when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day. ² 

For there will be a time when people ¹  will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, ²  they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. ³ 

Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. ¹  But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set ²  and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me ³  until that day. ⁴ 

And entrust what you heard me say ¹  in the presence of many others as witnesses ²  to faithful people ³  who will be competent ⁴  to teach others as well.

Hold to the standard ¹  of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ² 

You know that everyone in the province of Asia ¹  deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

But reject foolish and ignorant ¹  controversies, because you know they breed infighting. ² 

Erastus stayed in Corinth. ¹  Trophimus I left ill in Miletus.

This saying ¹  is trustworthy: ²  If we died with him, we will also live with him.

unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,