2 Timothy 4

This is still an early look into the drafted text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

42 I am declaring these truths before God and before Yeshua the messiah who will judge both the living and the dead. Declare his appearance on earth[fn] and his kingdom, stand by the message whether it’s convenient or seems out of place, rebuke and scold those who need it, but also encourage with complete patience and teaching. 3 A time will come when people will no longer be tolerating scriptural teaching, but will prefer their own doctrines, so they’ll find teachers to teach what they want to hear, 4 so not only will they avoid hearing the truth, they’ll be following myths instead. 5 However Timotheos, you stay sensible about everything, endure hardship, tell people the good message, and do all your duties well.

6 As for me, I’ve already done all I can, and the time of my departure is approaching. 7 I’ve fought the fight for goodness. I’ve finished the race. I’ve kept the faith. 8 I know that a crown has been reserved for me due to my obedience, and the master serving as the impartial judge will award it to me, and not just to me, but will also award them to others who appreciated his coming.[fn]

4:1 It’s not clear if Paul is referring to Yeshua’s previous coming to the earth, or to the expected, future coming. (See also 4:8)

4:8 Again (see 4:1), it’s not totally clear if Paul is referring to Yeshua’s previous coming to the earth, or to the expected, future coming.

4 I _am _testifying before the god and chosen _one /messiah Yaʸsous, the one going to _be _judging the_living and the_dead, both the appearing of _him, and the kingdom of _him:

2 proclaim the message, stand _by conveniently and _unseasonably, rebuke, give _rebuke, exhort, with all patience and teaching.

3 For/Because there _will _be a_time when they_˓will˒_ not _be _tolerating teaching of _the being _sound, but according _to their own desires, they _will _be _accumulating teachers to _themselves, being _tickled by _the ear,

4 and on _one _hand they _will _be _turning _away from the hearing the truth, on _the _other _hand they _will _be _being _turned _away to the myths.

5 But you be _being _sober in all things, suffer _hardship, do the_work of_a_good _message _preacher, fully _assure the service of _you.

6 For/Because I am_ already _being _poured _out, and the time of _the departure of _me has _approached.

7 I _have _fought The good fight, I _have _finished the course, I _have _kept the faith.

8 Furthermore the crown the of _righteousness is _laid _away for _me, which the master will _be _giving _back to _me in, that the day, the righteous judge, and not only to _me, but also to _all the ones having _loved the appearing of _him.

4:9 Final bits and pieces

9 Try to come to me as soon as possible, 10 because Demas[ref] was attracted back to worldly things, and so he left me and went to Thessalonikai. Kreskes has gone to Galatia, and Titos[ref] went to Dalmatia. 11 Only Lukas (Luke)[ref] stayed with me. Fetch Markos[ref] on your way and bring him to me also because he’s always very helpful. 12 I sent Tukikos[ref] to Efesos. 13 When you come, bring the coat that I left with Karpos in Troias,[ref] along with the scrolls and most of the parchments.[fn]

14 Alexandros (Alexander) the coppersmith[ref] did a lot of harm to me but Yahweh will ‘reward’ him for what he’s done.[ref] 15 You also should watch out for him, because he was very strongly opposed to our teaching.

16 At my first defence in the courts here in Romai/Rome, no one stood with me. Everyone deserted me, but that shouldn’t be held against them. 17 But the master stood by me and strengthened me to ensure that the good message was declared and all the pagans heard it, and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth so to speak. 18 The master will rescue me from every evil plot, and he will bring me into his heavenly kingdom. He should be praised forever. May it be so.

4:13 We get no clues here about what scrolls they were (possibly some Hebrew scriptures), nor what was on the parchments—they may even have been still blank for writing on.