2 Timothy

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

1This letter is from Paul. God chose him to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. An apostle is someone Jesus sent out to tell people about him. Paul was sent to share God's promise of life in Christ Jesus.

2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2I am writing to Timothy. I love you like my own son. I pray God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord will be kind to you. May they show you mercy and give you peace.

3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

3I thank God, and I serve him the way my family before me did. My heart is clear before him. I pray for you all the time, at night and in the daytime.

4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

4I remember how you cried when we said goodbye. I really want to see you again. Seeing you would make me very happy.

5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

5I remember that you really do trust God. Your grandmother Lois trusted him first, and then your mother Eunice. I am sure that same trust is in you too.

6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

6So I am reminding you of something. God gave you a special gift when I put my hands on you. Keep that gift burning bright, like a fire you stir up.

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

7God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid. He gave us a spirit of power and love. He also helps us think clearly and stay in control of ourselves.

NoteThe old wording says "a sound mind." It means being able to think clearly and keep control of yourself, not just being smart.

8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

8So do not be ashamed to tell people about our Lord. Do not be ashamed of me, either, even though I am in prison for him. Be ready to suffer with me for the good news, and God will give you the strength.

9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

9God saved us and called us to belong to him. He did not do this because of the good things we did. He did it because he planned it and because he is kind. He gave us this kindness in Christ Jesus before the world began.

10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

10Now we can see that kindness, because our Savior Christ Jesus has come. He took away the power of death. Through the good news he showed us the way to life that never ends.

11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

11God picked me to tell this good news. I am a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

12That is why I am suffering the way I am. But I am not ashamed. I know the one I have trusted. I gave myself into his care, and I am sure he can keep me safe until the day he comes.

13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

13Hold on to the true teaching you heard from me. Use it as your pattern. Keep trusting and loving, the way we do in Christ Jesus.

14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

14God gave you something good to take care of. Guard it well. The Holy Spirit lives in us and will help you.

15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

15You know that everyone in the land of Asia has walked away from me. Phygellus and Hermogenes are two of them.

Note"Asia" here does not mean the whole continent we call Asia today. It was a Roman area in what is now the country of Turkey.

16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

16I ask the Lord to be kind to Onesiphorus and his whole family. He cheered me up many times. He was not ashamed that I was in chains.

17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

17When he came to the city of Rome, he looked and looked for me. He did not stop until he found me.

18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

18I ask the Lord to show him mercy on the day Jesus comes. And you know very well how much he helped me back in the city of Ephesus.