Chapter
1
Paula, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Mother and Christ Jesus our Domina.
I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your father Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.
For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Domina, nor of me her prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to her own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.
For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know her whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that she is able to guard that which I have committed to her against that day.
Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
May the Domina grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for she often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
but when she was in Rome, she sought me diligently, and found me
(the Domina grant to her to find the Domina's mercy in that day); and in how many things she served at Ephesus, you know very well.