Chapter 4

  I give you orders, before God and Christ Jesus, who will be the judge of the living and the dead, and by his revelation and his kingdom;  

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  Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;  

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  For the time will come when they will not take the true teaching; but, moved by their desires, they will get for themselves a great number of teachers for the pleasure of hearing them;  

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  And shutting their ears to what is true, will be turned away to belief in foolish stories.  

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  But be self-controlled in all things, do without comfort, go on preaching the good news, completing the work which has been given you to do.  

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  For I am even now being offered, and my end is near.  

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  I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith:  

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  From now on, the crown of righteousness is made ready for me, which the Lord, the upright judge, Will give to me at that day: and not only to me, but to all those who have had love for his revelation.  

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  Do your best to come to me before long:  

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  For Demas has gone away from me, for love of this present life, and has gone to Thessalonica: Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.  

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  Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and take him with you; for he is of use to me in the work.  

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  Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.  

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  The coat which I did not take from Troas and which is with Carpus, get when you come, and the books, specially the papers.  

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  Alexander the copper-worker did me much wrong: the Lord will give him the reward of his works:  

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  But be on the watch for him, for he was violent in his attacks on our teaching.  

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  At my first meeting with my judges, no one took my part, but all went away from me. May it not be put to their account.  

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  But the Lord was by my side and gave me strength; so that through me the news might be given out in full measure, and all the Gentiles might give ear: and I was taken out of the mouth of the lion.  

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  The Lord will keep me safe from every evil work and will give me salvation in his kingdom in heaven: to whom be glory for ever and ever. So be it.  

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  Give my love to Prisca and Aquila and those of the house of Onesiphorus.  

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  Erastus was stopping at Corinth; but Trophimus, when I last saw him was at Miletus, ill.  

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  Do your best to come before the winter. Eubulus sends you his love, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia, and all the brothers.  

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  The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.  

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