2 Timothy 1

1From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, sent to proclaim the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2to Timothy, my dear son. Grace, mercy and peace to you from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

3I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, whenever I remember you in my prayers, as I do night and day. 4I remember your tears, and I long to see you, so that my joy may be complete. 5I recall your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and which I am sure now lives in you. 6That is why I remind you to stir up into flame the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment.

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, share with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 9He saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we had done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before eternal ages began, 10and now it has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11For this gospel I was appointed a herald, an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 13Keep to the pattern of sound teaching you heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

15You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed that I was in chains. 17Instead, when he came to Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18May the Lord grant that he find mercy from the Lord on that day. And you know very well all the ways he helped in Ephesus.