1 T ú, pues, hijo mío, fortalécete en la gracia que hay en Cristo Jesús.

So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Y lo que has oído de mí en la presencia de muchos testigos, eso encarga a hombres fieles que sean idóneos para enseñar también a otros.

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 S ufre penalidades conmigo, como buen soldado de Cristo Jesús.

Take your share of the hardships and suffering as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 N ingún soldado en servicio activo se enreda en los negocios de la vida diaria, a fin de poder agradar al que lo reclutó como soldado.

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 Y también el que compite como atleta, no gana el premio si no compite de acuerdo con las reglas.

And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).

6 E l labrador que trabaja debe ser el primero en recibir su parte de los frutos.

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

7 C onsidera lo que digo, pues el Señor te dará entendimiento en todo.

Think over these things I am saying, for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.

8 A cuérdate de Jesucristo, resucitado de entre los muertos, descendiente de David, conforme a mi evangelio;

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 p or el cual sufro penalidades, hasta el encarcelamiento como un malhechor; pero la palabra de Dios no está presa.

For that I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!

10 P or tanto, todo lo soporto por amor a los escogidos, para que también ellos obtengan la salvación que está en Cristo Jesús, y con ella gloria eterna.

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 P alabra fiel es ésta: Que si morimos con El, también viviremos con El;

The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.

12 s i perseveramos, también reinaremos con El; si le negamos, El también nos negará;

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 s i somos infieles, El permanece fiel, pues no puede negarse a sí mismo. El buen obrero de Dios

If we are faithless, He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

14 R ecuérda les esto, encargándo les solemnemente en la presencia de Dios, que no contiendan sobre palabras, lo cual para nada aprovecha y lleva a los oyentes a la ruina.

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 P rocura con diligencia presentarte a Dios aprobado, como obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse, que maneja con precisión la palabra de verdad.

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 E vita las palabrerías vacías y profanas, porque los dados a ellas, conducirán más y más a la impiedad,

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

17 y su palabra se extenderá como gangrena; entre los cuales están Himeneo y Fileto,

And their teaching will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 q ue se han desviado de la verdad diciendo que la resurrección ya tuvo lugar, trastornando así la fe de algunos.

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 N o obstante, el sólido fundamento de Dios permanece firme, teniendo este sello: El Señor conoce a los que son suyos, y: Que se aparte de la iniquidad todo aquel que menciona el nombre del Señor.

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 A hora bien, en una casa grande no solamente hay vasos de oro y de plata, sino también de madera y de barro, y unos para honra y otros para deshonra.

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 P or tanto, si alguno se limpia de estas cosas, será un vaso para honra, santificado, útil para el Señor, preparado para toda buena obra.

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 H uye, pues, de las pasiones juveniles y sigue la justicia, la fe, el amor y la paz, con los que invocan al Señor con un corazón puro.

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 P ero rechaza los razonamientos necios e ignorantes, sabiendo que producen altercados.

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 Y el siervo del Señor no debe ser rencilloso, sino amable para con todos, apto para enseñar, sufrido,

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 c orrigiendo tiernamente a los que se oponen, por si acaso Dios les da el arrepentimiento que conduce al pleno conocimiento de la verdad,

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 y volviendo en sí, escapen del lazo del diablo, habiendo estado cautivos de él para hacer su voluntad.

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.