“I Have Finished the Race”

⁶As for me, my life is already being poured out like an offering, and the time for my departure has arrived. ⁷I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. ⁸From now on there is stored up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day. He will give it not to me only, but also to all who love his appearing. ⁹Do your best to come to me soon. ¹⁰Demas has abandoned me, having loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹Only Luke is still with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you — he's been very helpful to me in the ministry. ¹²I've sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the books — especially the parchments. ¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith caused me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he's done. ¹⁵Watch out for him yourself, because he fiercely opposed everything we said. ¹⁶At my first defense, no one stood with me; everyone deserted me. I pray God that it may not be held against them. ¹⁷But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, so that the preaching might be fully known and all the Gentiles might hear it. I was rescued from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.