✧1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ✧2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ✧3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ✧4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. ✧5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. ✧6The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. ✧7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. ✧8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,
World English Bible (WEB). World English Bible (Protestant edition). Public domain.
✧9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
✧10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
✧11This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.
✧12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.
✧13If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.”
✧14Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord that they don’t argue about words to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
✧15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
✧16But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,
✧17and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus:
✧18men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
✧19However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
✧20Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor.
✧21If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
✧22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
✧23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
✧24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,
✧25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
✧26and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will.