| 1 | You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2 | The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. |
| 3 | You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4 | No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. |
| 5 | If also a man competes in the games, he is not crowned, unless he has competed by the rules. |
| 6 | The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. |
| 7 | Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. |
| 8 | Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, |
| 9 | in which I suffer hardship to bonds, as a criminal. But God's word isn't bound. |
| 10 | Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. |
| 11 | This saying is faithful: For if we died with him, we will also live with him. |
| 12 | If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we will deny him, he also will deny us. |
| 13 | If we are faithless, he remains faithful -- he can't deny himself. |
| 14 | Remind 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. |
| 15 | Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. |
| 16 | But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, |
| 17 | and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; |
| 18 | men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. |
| 19 | However 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.' |
| 20 | Now in a great 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. |
| 21 | If a man 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. |
| 22 | Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 23 | But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. |
| 24 | The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, |
| 25 | in gentleness correcting those who oppose him; if perhaps God may give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth, |
| 26 | and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will. |