6. That is why I remind you to use the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I laid my hands on you. Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire.
7. God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid. He gave us a spirit of power and love and self-control.
8. So do not be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus. And do not be ashamed of me. I am in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God gives us the strength to do that.
9. God saved us and made us his holy people. That was not because of anything we did ourselves but because of what he wanted and because of his grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began.
10. It was not shown to us until our Savior Christ Jesus came. Jesus destroyed death. And through the Good News, he showed us the way to have life that cannot be destroyed.
11. I was chosen to tell that Good News and to be an apostle and a teacher.
12. And I suffer now because I tell the Good News. But I am not ashamed. I know Jesus, the One I have believed in. And I am sure that he is able to protect what he has trusted me with until that Day.
13. Follow the true teachings you heard from me. Follow them as an example of the faith and love we have in Christ Jesus.
14. Protect the truth that you were given. Protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
15. You know that everyone in Asia has left me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16. I pray that the Lord will show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus. He has often helped me and was not ashamed that I was in prison.
17. When he came to Rome, he looked for me until he found me.