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

  To Timothy, my beloved child:

  Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord.

  I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear
conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and
day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be
filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that
dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and
now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you
to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the
laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of
power and love and self-control.

  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor
of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the
power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not
because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which
now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ
Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and
apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not
ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that
he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit
who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

  You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among
whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the
household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not
ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for
me earnestly and found me—may the Lord grant him to find mercy from
the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered
at Ephesus.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.