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.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit 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.

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

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 one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him 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.

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

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

The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

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

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

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

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead 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 trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

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.

Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

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

This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall 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 shall 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; He cannot deny Himself. Approved and Disapproved Workers

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, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, 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, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

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

And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

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

who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow 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 solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

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.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for 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 the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for 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.

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

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

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

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

in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know 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 that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.