First Reading2 Timothy 1:1-8
From the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy
or Titus 1:1-5
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God,according to the promise of the lifewhich is in Christ Jesus,2to Timothy, my beloved child:Grace, mercy, and peace,from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I 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 day4longing to see you,remembering your tears,that I may be filled with joy;5having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you,which lived first in your grandmother Loisand your mother Eunice and,I am persuaded, in you also.
6For this cause, I remind youthat you should stir up the gift of Godwhich is in you through the laying on of my hands.7For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear,but of power, love, and self-control.8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,nor of me his prisoner;but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,