1 I command you therefore before God
and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge
the living and the dead at his appearing
and his Kingdom:

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

3 For the time will come when they will
notlisten to the sound doctrine, but having
itching ears, will heap up for themselves
teachers after their own lusts,

4 and will turn away their ears from the
truth, and turn away to fables.

5 But you be sober in all things, suffer
hardship, do the work of an evangelist,
and fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being offered, and the
time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight. I have
finished the course. I have kept the faith.

8 From now on, the crown of righteousness is
stored up for me, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, will give to me on that
day; andnotto me only, but also to allthose
who have loved his appearing.

9 Be diligent to come to me soon,
10 for Demas left me, having loved this
present world, and went to Thessalonica;
Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.

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