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

You therefore, my child, be strengthened 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 among many witnesses, commit the same 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 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 on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled 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 in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

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

The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share 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 Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,

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

in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t 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 chosen ones’ sake, 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 saying is trustworthy: “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. He can’t deny himself.”

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 in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

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

Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

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

But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

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

and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is 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 erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing 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.

However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

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 vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are 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.

If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, 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 from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and 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 refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

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

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards 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 gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full 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 recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.