1 T hou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 A nd the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3 S uffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 N o soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 A nd if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully.

Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

6 T he husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.

The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

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

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 R emember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,

9 w herein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.

for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

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

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

11 F aithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

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

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

13 i f we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. An Unashamed Workman

14 O f these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

15 G ive diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

16 B ut shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

17 a nd their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;

and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 m en who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

19 H owbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “ The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “ Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

20 N ow in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.

21 I f a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 a fter righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23 B ut foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

24 A nd the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

25 i n meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,

with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

26 a nd they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.