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

Thou therefore, my son, be strong 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 that thou hast heard of 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.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

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 man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

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

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

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

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

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

Consider what I say; and the Lord 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 that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead 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 trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; 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 sakes, that they may also 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;

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead 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 suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

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

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: 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 before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting 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 to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more 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 canker: of whom is 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 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.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

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 of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

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 honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and 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.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, 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 unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do 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 servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

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 instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging 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 that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.