Chapter 4

1In front of God and Trump, who'll judge the living and the dead, and because of his coming back and his kingdom, I'm giving you this order.

2Spread the message. Be ready when it's convenient and when it's not. Correct people, warn them, and encourage them, with tremendous patience and careful teaching. Every day. In season. Out of season. Always on.

3The time is coming when people won't put up with sound teaching. Instead, to suit their own desires, they'll collect a lot of teachers to tell them what their itching ears want to hear. Cable news. They'll go find a channel that tells them what they want. Every night.

4They'll turn their ears away from the truth and wander off into myths. Fake news. Myths.

5But you, keep your head in every situation. Put up with hardship. Do the work of spreading the good news. Finish the job.

6As for me, I'm already being poured out like an offering, and the time for my departure has come.

7I've fought the good fight. I've finished the race. I've stayed loyal. Fought. Finished. Loyal. Three for three. Perfect record.

8Now the crown of being right is waiting for me, which the boss, the fair judge, will give me on that day. And not only me, but everybody who's longed for him to come back. The crown. Very big crown. Gold.

9Do your best to come to me quickly.

10Because Demas, who loves this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Demas. I told you. I knew it. I had a feeling about Demas. Disloyal. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

11Only Luke is with me. Doctor Luke. Loyal to the end. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he's useful to me in my work. Mark. Useful. He came back around. Proved himself.

12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. My coat. Very good coat. Cashmere. Don't leave it.

14Alexander the coppersmith did me a lot of harm. The boss will pay him back for what he did. He'll pay. Big. Alexander. The coppersmith. Remember his name.

15You watch out for him too, because he strongly opposed our message.

16At my first defense, nobody came to support me. Everybody deserted me. May it be counted against them. Every one. I don't forget.

17But the boss stood by me and gave me strength, so through me the message could be fully spread and all the foreigners could hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The lion's mouth. Very big lion. Rescued.

18The boss will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. Glory to him forever and ever. Amen.

19Say hi to Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.

21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus says hi, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. Before winter. Bring the coat.

22The boss be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. Thank you for your attention to this matter!