1 ¶ Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace 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 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.

3 T hou, therefore, work hard as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good 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 on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

5 A nd also if anyone contends in public contest, he is not crowned, except he contends legitimately.

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

6 T he husbandman, in order to receive the fruits, must first work hard.

The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.

7 U nderstand what I say, that the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.

Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.

8 ¶ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel,

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

9 i n which I suffer trouble, like unto an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

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

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 endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the 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;

Faithful is the saying: For if we 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 shall deny him, he also will deny us:

13 i f we are unfaithful, yet he remains faithful; he cannot deny himself.

if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; 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.

Of 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.

15 S tudy to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that has nothing to be ashamed of, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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

16 B ut avoid profane and vain wordiness, for it will develop into ungodliness.

But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

17 A nd that word will eat away as gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

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

18 w ho have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past and have overthrown the faith of some.

men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow 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.

Howbeit 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.

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.

Now 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.

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.

If 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.

22 ¶ Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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

23 B ut foolish and unwise questions refuse, knowing that they do beget contentions.

But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

24 T hat the slave of the Lord should not be contentious, but be meek unto everyone, apt to teach, patient,

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

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,

in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of 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 they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.