1 Y ou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Thou, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that in Christ Jesus,

2 T he things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach;

3 S uffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ;

4 N o soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please;

5 A lso if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

and if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully;

6 T he hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake;

7 C onsider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.

8 R emember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,

Remember Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, according to my good news,

9 f or which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound;

10 F or this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.

11 I t is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

Stedfast the word: For if we died together -- we also shall live together;

12 I f we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

if we do endure together -- we shall also reign together; if we deny, he also shall deny us;

13 I f we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. An Unashamed Workman

if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.

14 R emind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

These things remind of, testifying fully before the Lord -- not to strive about words to nothing profitable, but to the subversion of those hearing;

15 B e diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;

16 B ut avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,

17 a nd their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

and their word as a gangrene will have pasture, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 m en who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;

19 N evertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “ The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “ Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, `The Lord hath known those who are His,' and `Let him depart from unrighteousness -- every one who is naming the name of Christ.'

20 N ow in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.

And 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 T herefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

if, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared,

22 N ow flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

and the youthful lusts flee thou, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart;

23 B ut refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,

24 T he Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil,

25 w ith gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth,

26 a nd they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

and they may awake out of the devil's snare, having been caught by him at his will.