Scholars believe this letter was likely not actually written by Paul.
1:1. From: Paul
1:2. To: Timothy
1:3. I thank God for you, and remember you when I pray.
1:4. I miss you!
1:5-7. I was just thinking of you, and how much faith you have, and I wanted to remind you to be brave and keep using the gifts God gave you- the spirit of power, love, and self-control.
1:8. So don't be ashamed of Jesus, or embarrassed that I'm currently in jail. Suffer with us.
1:9-10. Jesus destroyed death and gave us life because he is infinitely forgiving.
1:11. I was made an apostle, a messenger and teacher, of this teaching.
1:12. That's why I'm jail- but still, I'm not embarrased- I know God has my back where it counts.
1:13. What I've taught you is the core of truth, pass it along.
1:14. Keep your own truth safe with the help of the Holy Spirit.
1:15. You've heard that everyone else has abandoned me.
1:16-18. Bless those who did help me and look for me.
2:1. Be strong, my son.
2:2. Teach what I've taught you.
2:3. Suffer with us.
2:4-7. Follow and aim to please God, and you'll be rewarded.
2:8-9. Jesus descended from King David and came back from the dead. They locked me up for saying this, but they cannot lock up the Word of God.
2:10. I put up with everything to help prove Jesus' message to anyone who cares.
2:11-13. Here is a saying:
"If we died with Jesus, we'll live with him;
If we suffer with Jesus, we'll rule with him;
If we ignore Jesus; he'll ignore us;
But even if we lose hope for ourselves,
Jesus will still have it,
Because Jesus cannot lose hope."
2:14. Remind people these things, and tell them not to argue about the details, it misses the point.
2:15. Be a good, proud servant of God, who knows how to handle truth.
2:16. Avoid talking about evil things, it will corrupt you.
2:17-18. It has already corrupted Hymenaeus and Philetus, who say things like judgment day is already over.
2:19. Either way, God knows who listens, and everyone who claims to listen must stop doing evil things.
2:20-21. Every object is made to do something different. If you make yourself good, you will be used to do good.
2:22. Be mature and good, have faith, and love, and peace, like all those with a pure heart.
2:23. Don't argue or do anything stupid.
2:24. If you want to serve God, be nice and get along with others.
2:25-26. If someone does oppose you, you have to learn how to gently guide them in the hope that God will show them the truth.
3:1. Listen- the last days will be horrible.
3:2-7. People will be assholes- abusive, pretentious, unloving, unforgiving, assholes who take advatage of others.
3:8-9. Just like the Pharaoh's magicians fighting against Moses, these people will try to fight back but will fail miserably.
3:10. You know all about my story- my motivations and teachings and purpose.
3:11. You know the kinds of things I've suffered.
3:12-13. Everyone good will suffer, and evil people will get worse.
3:14. But just continue teaching what you've learned.
3:15. You've known the Jewish Scriptures since you were a child.
3:16-17. Scripture is inspired by God and useful for training and teaching.
4:1-2. In God's name, I tell you to ready to teach anytime- be encouraging and have patience, be firm but gentle.
4:3-4. Soon, people won't care about truth, just what they want to hear.
4:5. But keep calm and keep doing what you're doing.
4:6-8. It's toward the end of my ride- all that's left for me is judgment.
4:9-12. Hurry, grab Mark, and come to me.
Everyone else left me besides Luke.
4:20. Everyone is all over the place now.
4:13. On your way, grab my coat and books from Carpus.
4:14-15. Watch out for Alex Smith- he screwed me over and is against our message.
4:16. Everyone left me as soon as I got into trouble, but don't hold it against them.
4:19. Tell Priscilla and Aquila I said I hi.
4:17-18. God stayed with me and protected me, so I could give a message to the whole world.
4:21. Try to get here before winter.
Everyone here- Eubulus, Pudens, LInus, Claudia, and everyone else- says hi.
4:22. Let the grace of God be with you.