2 Timothy 1:8-2:5

Easy-to-Read Version

⁸ So don’t be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus. And don’t be ashamed of me—I am in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God gives us the strength to do that.

⁹ God saved us and chose us to be his holy people, but not because of anything we ourselves did. God saved us and made us his people because that was what he wanted and because of his grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began. ¹⁰ And now it has been shown to us in the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and showed us the way to have life. Yes, through the Good News Jesus showed us the way to have life that cannot be destroyed.

¹¹ I was chosen to tell people that message as an apostle and teacher. ¹² And I suffer now because of that work. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one I have put my trust in. And I am sure that he is able to protect what I have put into his care^[a] until that Day.

¹³ What you heard me teach is an example of what you should teach. Follow that model of right teaching with the faith and love we have in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ This teaching is a treasure that you have been trusted with. Protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us.

¹⁵ You know that everyone in Asia has left me. Even Phygelus and Hermogenes have left me. ¹⁶ I pray that the Lord will show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus. Many times Onesiphorus encouraged me. He was not ashamed that I was in prison. ¹⁷ No, he was not ashamed. When he came to Rome, he looked and looked for me until he found me. ¹⁸ I pray that the Lord Jesus will make sure Onesiphorus receives mercy from the Lord God on that Day. You know how many ways this brother helped me in Ephesus.

A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus

2 Timothy, you are a son to me. Be strong in the grace that we have because we belong to Christ Jesus. ² What you have heard me teach publicly you should teach to others. Share these teachings with people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach others these same things. ³ As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, accept your share of the troubles we have. ⁴ A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty. ⁵ Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win.