GUARD THE GOOD DEPOSIT ENTRUSTED TO US

 

Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus

By the Will of God,

In keeping with the Promise that is Life is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy my Dear Son:

Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father

And Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I Thank God, Whom I serve, as my ancestors 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 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.

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 the Spirit God gave us

Does not make us Timid,

But gives us Power, Love and Self-discipline.

8 So 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.

9 He 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 Teacher.

12 That 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.

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.

(2 Timothy 1:1-13, NIV)