1 ¶ Thou, 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, work hard 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 wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who has 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 also if anyone contends in public contest, he is not crowned, except he contends legitimately.

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, in order to receive the fruits, must first work hard.

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

7 U nderstand what I say, that the Lord shall 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 ¶ Remember 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 i n which I suffer trouble, like unto 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 sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the saving health 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 T his is a faithful word: That if we are 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 are unfaithful, yet he remains 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 ¶ Counsel these things, charging them before the Lord. Strive not in words that profit nothing, but rather subvert 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 show thyself approved unto God, a workman that has nothing to be ashamed of, 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 avoid profane and vain wordiness, for it will develop into ungodliness.

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

17 A nd that word will eat away as gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus 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 have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past and have overthrown 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 ¶ Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows those that are his. And, Let every one that names 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 clay, and likewise 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, purges himself from these things, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and profitable 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 ¶ Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with those 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 unwise questions refuse, knowing that they do beget contentions.

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 T hat the slave of the Lord should not be contentious, but be meek unto everyone, 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 t hat with meekness they might teach those that resist, if God peradventure will grant unto them that they might repent and know 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 become converted out of the snare of the devil, in which they are captive to do 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.