I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
3I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
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 hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
9He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
15You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
16May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
17On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.
18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
18May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules.
6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
12if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
14Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
22Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
24And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
25Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
7always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.
9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
13while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
15and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.
7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
9Do your best to come to me quickly,
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.
18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.