1 Y ou 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 you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will 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 Y ou therefore must endure hardship 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 one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as 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 competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

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

6 T he hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

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

7 C onsider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

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

8 R emember 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 f or which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

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 also may obtain the salvation 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 saying: For if we died 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 endure, 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 faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Approved and Disapproved Workers

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

14 R emind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of 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 B e diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 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 shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

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

17 A nd their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

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

18 w ho have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow 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 N evertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who 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 silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

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 T herefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for 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 F lee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who 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 avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

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 A nd a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able 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 i n humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may 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 come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him 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.