3 The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching. They will find more and more teachers who are pleasing to them, teachers who say the things they want to hear.
4 They 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 to God. The time has come for me to leave this life.
7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
8 Now, a crown is waiting for me. I will get that crown for being right with God. The Lord is the judge who judges rightly, and he will give me the crown on that Day. He will give that crown not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again.
9 Do your best to come to me as soon as you can.