"PERPETUALLY LIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD"

2 Timothy (ERV)4 Before God and Jesus Christ, I give you a command.Tell people what they need to do, tell them when they are doing wrong, and encourage them. Do this with great patience and careful teaching.3 The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching. But people will find more and more teachers who please them. They will find teachers who say what they want to hear. 4 People will stop listening to the truth. They will begin to follow the teaching in false stories. 5 But you should control yourself at all times. When troubles come, accept them. Do the work of telling the Good News. Do all the duties of a servant of God.6 My life is being given as an offering for God. The time has come for me to leave this life here. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. 8 Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give it to me on that Day.14 Alexander the metalworker caused me so much harm. The Lord will punish him for what he did. 15 He fought against everything we teach. You should be careful that he doesn’t hurt you too.

16 The first time I defended myself, no one helped me. Everyone left me. I pray that God will forgive them. 17 But the Lord stayed with me. The Lord gave me strength so that I could tell the Good News everywhere. He wanted all those who are not Jews to hear that Good News.18 The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me. He will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be the Lord’s. Amen.