3. I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
4. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
5. I have been 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.
6. 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.
7. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
8. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
9. who 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,
10. but 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.
11. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
12. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
13. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
14. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Return