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

So you, my son, be strong in the loving-favor of Christ Jesus.

2 A nd 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.

What you have heard me say in front of many people, you must teach to faithful men. Then they will be able to teach others also.

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

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 N o soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.

No soldier fighting in a war can take time to make a living. He must please the one who made him a soldier.

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

Anyone who runs in a race must follow the rules to get the crown.

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

A hard-working farmer should receive first some of what he gathers from the field.

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

Think about these things and the Lord will help you understand them.

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

Remember this! Jesus Christ, Who was born from the early family of David, was raised from the dead! This is the Good News I preach.

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

I suffer much and am in prison as one who has done something very bad. I am in chains, but the Word of God is not chained.

10 T herefore 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.

I suffer all things so the people that God has chosen can be saved from the punishment of their sin through Jesus Christ. Then they will have God’s shining-greatness that lasts forever.

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

These things are true. If we die with Him, we will live with Him also.

12 I f 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.

If we suffer and stay true to Him, then we will be a leader with Him. If we say we do not know Him, He will say He does not know us.

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

If we have no faith, He will still be faithful for He cannot go against what He is. Foolish Talk

14 R emind 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.

Tell your people about these things again. In the name of the Lord, tell them not to argue over words that are not important. It helps no one and it hurts the faith of those who are listening.

15 S tudy 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.

Do your best to know that God is pleased with you. Be as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of. Teach the words of truth in the right way.

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

Do not listen to foolish talk about things that mean nothing. It only leads people farther away from God.

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

Such talk will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like this.

18 W ho 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.

They have turned from the truth. They say the dead have already been raised. The faith of some people has been made weak because of such foolish talk.

19 B ut 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.

But the truth of God cannot be changed. It says, “The Lord knows those who are His.” And, “Everyone who says he is a Christian must turn away from sin!”

20 B ut 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.

In a big house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are of more use than others. Some are used every day.

21 S o 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.

If a man lives a clean life, he will be like a dish made of gold. He will be respected and set apart for good use by the owner of the house.

22 S hun 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.

Turn away from the sinful things young people want to do. Go after what is right. Have a desire for faith and love and peace. Do this with those who pray to God from a clean heart.

23 B ut 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.

Let me say it again. Have nothing to do with foolish talk and those who want to argue. It can only lead to trouble.

24 A nd 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.

A servant owned by God must not make trouble. He must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must be willing to suffer when hurt for doing good.

25 H e 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,

Be gentle when you try to teach those who are against what you say. God may change their hearts so they will turn to the truth.

26 A nd 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.

Then they will know they had been held in a trap by the devil to do what he wanted them to do. But now they are able to get out of it.