1 T hou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is in Christ Jesus.

2 A nd 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.

And the which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.

3 T hou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Take your share of the hardships and suffering as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 N o man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.

5 A nd if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).

6 T he husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

the hard-working farmer who must be the first partaker of the fruits.

7 C onsider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Think over these things I am saying, for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.

8 R emember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) risen from the dead, descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach.

9 w herein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

For that I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!

10 T herefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Therefore I persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 I t is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.

12 i f we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us.

13 i f we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

If we are faithless, He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

14 O f 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.

Remind of these facts and charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.

15 S tudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth.

16 B ut shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

17 A nd their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus;

And their teaching will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 w ho concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Who have missed the mark and swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some.

19 N evertheless 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.

But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.

20 B ut 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.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble and some for menial and ignoble.

21 I f 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.

So whoever cleanses himself will be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

22 F lee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); faith, love, peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all, who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 B ut foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.

24 A nd the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25 i n meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth,

26 a nd that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

And that they may come to their senses escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, to do His will.