2 Timothy 4 - First Nations Version

MAKE HIS MESSAGE KNOWN

¹ When the Chosen One appears, he will decide the fate of the living and the dead and bring his good road to us in all its fullness. In light of these things and in the sight of the Great Spirit and Creator Sets Free (Jesus) the Chosen One, I call on you to complete the sacred task

² of making his message known! Be ready whether the time seems right or not. Patiently instruct others. Give strong counsel, warnings, and firm words to strengthen their hearts.

³ For a day will come when people will not listen to good teaching. They will gather around themselves teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear.

⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and believe made-up stories.

BE A GOOD STORYTELLER

⁵ But you must remain clear-minded in every way, stand strong in hard times, and do the work of a good storyteller. Keep doing what Creator has called on you to do.

⁶ For my life is already being poured out like a ceremonial drink offering, and the time for me to walk on has come.

⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have walked the good road to its end and stayed true to our spiritual ways.

⁸ There is a chief’s headdress for doing what is right waiting for me in the spirit-world above. Our Honored Chief, whose decisions are always right, will honor me with a headdress on that day, and not only me but also all who have loved his appearing.

CLOSING WORDS AND WARNINGS

⁹ Try to come and see me soon.

¹⁰ For Leader of the People (Demas), because he loved this present world, has run away to village of False Victory (Thessalonica) and left me alone. He Grows More (Crescens) has gone to Land of Pale Skins (Galatia), and Big Man (Titus) to Land of Holy Robes (Dalmatia).

¹¹ Only Shining Light (Luke) is with me. When you come, bring War Club (Mark) with you, for he is a good help to me as I serve our Creator.

¹² I sent He Is at Ease (Tychicus) to Village of Desire (Ephesus).

¹³ And I left my coat at Cut Through (Troas) with He Grows Good Fruit (Carpus). So when you come, bring it to me along with the books, and above all bring the animal-skin scrolls.

¹⁴ Man Fighter (Alexander), who works with copper, did much harm to me. Our Honored Chief will do to him what he has done to hurt others.

¹⁵ Be on the lookout for him, for he stands strongly against all we teach.

¹⁶ At my first council hearing, no one spoke up for me and everyone left me alone. May this not be counted against them.

¹⁷ But Our Honored Chief stood with me and gave me strength, so that through me the Outside Nations would hear the whole good story. I was set free from the mouth of the lion.

¹⁸ Our Honored Chief will rescue me from every evil scheme and carry me safely onto his good road from above. All honor belongs to him to all the ages. Aho! May it be so!

FINAL WORDS

¹⁹ I send greetings to Lives Long (Priscilla) and Strong Eagle (Aquila) and to the family of Bringer of Good Things (Onesiphorus).

²⁰ Much Desired (Erastus) remained behind at Village of Pleasure (Corinth), and He Eats Well (Trophimus) was sick so I left him at White Sheep Wool (Miletus).

²¹ Try to come to me before winter. Wise Counselor (Eubulus) sends greetings to you, along with Hides His Face (Pudens), Sweet Grass (Linus), Limping Woman (Claudia), and all the members of the sacred family.

²² May our Honored Chief be with your spirit, and may the gift of his great kindness rest on you. Aho! May it be so!