16He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

A Charge to the Rich

17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,19treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Guard the Faith

20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”21which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Paul’s Greeting to Timothy

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faithfulness under Persecution

3I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.9He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,11to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

Holding to Sound Teaching

13Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.14Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15You know that everyone in the Province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.17Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me.18May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.

Grace and Perseverance

1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.6The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

The Lord’s Approved Workman

14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.

15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,17and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

20A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.21So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.