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

You therefore, my child, be strengthened 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 among many witnesses, commit the same 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.

You therefore must endure hardship, 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 on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled 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 in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

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

The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.

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

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

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, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,

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

in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.

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 endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the 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.

This saying is trustworthy: “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. He can’t 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 them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

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.

Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

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

But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

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

and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is 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 erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing 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.”

However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

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 vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for 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.

If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, 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.

Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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

But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

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

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,

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

in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full 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 recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.