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

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace 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.

The 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.

3 Y ou therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good 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 in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 A nd also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

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

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

The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

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

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

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

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

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

For 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.

11 T his is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will 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 will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

13 I f we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Approved and Disapproved Workers

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. An Unashamed Workman

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 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.

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.

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

16 B ut shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

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

and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are 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.

men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset 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.”

Nevertheless, 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.”

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.

Now 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.

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.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every 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.

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

23 B ut avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

24 A nd a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

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

25 i n humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of 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 they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.