✧1Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ✧2And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. ✧3Suffer hardship with [me], as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ✧4No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. ✧5And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. ✧6The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits. ✧7Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things. ✧8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
American Standard Version (ASV). American Standard Version (1901). Public domain.
✧9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
✧10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
✧11Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
✧12if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
✧13if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.
✧14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging [them] in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
✧15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
✧16But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
✧17and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus;
✧18men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.
✧19Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
✧20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.
✧21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.
✧22But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
✧23But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
✧24And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
✧25in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
✧26and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.