✧1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ✧2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. ✧3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ✧4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. ✧5And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. ✧6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. ✧7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. ✧8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
King James Version (KJV). King James Version (1769 text). Public domain outside the United Kingdom.
✧9Where in I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
✧10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
✧11[It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:
✧12If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
✧13If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he can not deny himself.
✧14Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.
✧15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
✧16But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
✧17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
✧18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
✧19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
✧20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
✧21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
✧22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
✧23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
✧24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,
✧25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
✧26And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.