1You therefore,my son,be strongin the gracethat is in ChristJesus.2The things whichyou have heardfrom me in the presenceof manywitnesses,entrusttheseto faithfulmenwhowill be ableto teachothersalso.3Suffer hardshipwith [me], as a goodsoldierof ChristJesus.4Nosoldier in active serviceentangleshimself in the affairsof everyday life,sothat he may pleasethe one who enlisted him as a soldier.5Alsoifanyonecompetesas an athlete,he does not win the prizeunlesshe competesaccording to the rules.6The hard-workingfarmeroughtto be the firstto receive his shareof the crops.7ConsiderwhatI say,for the Lordwill giveyou understandingin everything.
8RememberJesusChrist,risenfrom the dead,descendantof David,accordingto my gospel,9for whichI suffer hardshipevento imprisonmentas a criminal;but the wordof Godis not imprisoned.10For thisreasonI endureall thingsfor the sakeof thosewho are chosen,sothat they alsomay obtainthe salvationwhich is in ChristJesus[and] with [it] eternalglory.
11It is a trustworthystatement:For ifwe diedwith Him, we will alsolivewith Him;
12Ifwe endure,we will alsoreignwith Him; Ifwe denyHim, He alsowill denyus;
13Ifwe are faithless,He remainsfaithful,for He cannotdenyHimself.
14Remind[them] of these things,and solemnly charge[them] in the presenceof Godnot to wrangle about words,which is useless[and leads] to the ruinof the hearers.15Be diligentto presentyourselfapprovedto Godas a workmanwho does not need to be ashamed,accurately handlingthe wordof truth.16But avoidworldly[and] empty chatter,for it will leadto furtherungodliness,17and their talkwill spreadlikegangrene.Among them are Hymenaeusand Philetus,18[men] whohave gone astrayfrom the truthsayingthat the resurrectionhas alreadytaken place,and they upsetthe faithof some.19Nevertheless,the firmfoundationof Godstands,havingthisseal,"The Lordknowsthosewho are His," and, "Everyonewho namesthe nameof the Lordis to abstainfrom wickedness."
20Nowin a largehousethere are not onlygoldand silvervessels,but alsovessels of woodand of earthenware,and someto honorand someto dishonor.21Therefore,ifanyonecleanseshimselffrom these[things], he will be a vesselfor honor,sanctified,usefulto the Master,preparedfor everygoodwork.22Nowfleefrom youthfullustsand pursuerighteousness,faith,love[and] peace,with thosewho callon the Lordfrom a pureheart.23But refusefoolishand ignorantspeculations,knowingthat they producequarrels.24The Lord'sbond-servantmustnot be quarrelsome,but be kindto all,able to teach,patient when wronged,25with gentlenesscorrectingthosewho are in opposition,if perhapsGodmay grantthem repentanceleadingto the knowledgeof the truth,26and they may come to their senses[and escape] from the snareof the devil,having been held captiveby him to do his will.
