Greetings

1From:a Paul, an apostle of the Messiahb Jesus by God’s will in keeping with the promise of life that is in the Messiahc Jesus.

2To: Timothy, my dear child.

May grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Messiahd Jesus our Lord be yours!

Paul’s Advice for Timothy

3I constantly thank my God—whom I servee with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4recalling your tears and longing to see you so that I can be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first existed in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that this faithf also exists in you. 6For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.g 8Therefore, never be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the gospel.

9He saved us

and called us with a holy calling,

not according to our own accomplishments,

but according to his own purpose and the grace

that was given to us in the Messiahh Jesus

before time began.i

10Now, however, that gracej has been revealed

through the coming of our Savior the Messiahk Jesus,

who has destroyed death

and through the gospel has brought life

and release from death into full view.

11For the sake of this gospell I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles.m 12That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to men until the day that he comes.o 13Hold on to the pattern of healthy teachings that you have heard from me, along with the faith and love that are in the Messiahp Jesus. 14With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the good treasure that has been entrusted to you.

News about Paul’s Helpers

15You know that everyone in Asia has abandoned me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often took care ofq me and was not ashamed that I was a prisoner. 17Instead, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me and found me. 18May the Lord grant that he finds mercy on the day he comes again.r You know very well how much he assisted me in Ephesus.