To Timothy, my dear son: May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

To Timothy, my true son in the faith: May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Timothy, my child, I entrust to you this command, which is in accordance with the words of prophecy spoken in the past about you. Use those words as weapons in order to fight well,

For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go.

But now don't be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I am with you.

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong.

But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.