1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. |
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. |
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. |
5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. |
6 The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. |
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. |
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, |
9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. |
10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. |
11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. |
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. |
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. |
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. |
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. |
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. |
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, |
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. |
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." |
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. |
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. |
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. |
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, |
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, |
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. |