1 S o you, my son, be strong in the loving-favor of Christ Jesus.

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

2 W hat you have heard me say in front of many people, you must teach to faithful men. Then they will be able to teach others also.

And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also.

3 T ake your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 N o soldier fighting in a war can take time to make a living. He must please the one who made him a soldier.

No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier.

5 A nyone who runs in a race must follow the rules to get the crown.

And if also any one contend, he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully.

6 A hard-working farmer should receive first some of what he gathers from the field.

The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits.

7 T hink about these things and the Lord will help you understand them.

Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

8 R emember this! Jesus Christ, Who was born from the early family of David, was raised from the dead! This is the Good News I preach.

Remember Jesus Christ raised from among dead, of seed of David, according to my glad tidings,

9 I suffer much and am in prison as one who has done something very bad. I am in chains, but the Word of God is not chained.

in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound.

10 I suffer all things so the people that God has chosen can be saved from the punishment of their sin through Jesus Christ. Then they will have God’s shining-greatness that lasts forever.

For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 T hese things are true. If we die with Him, we will live with Him also.

The word faithful; for if we have died together with, we shall also live together;

12 I f we suffer and stay true to Him, then we will be a leader with Him. If we say we do not know Him, He will say He does not know us.

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

13 I f we have no faith, He will still be faithful for He cannot go against what He is. Foolish Talk

if we are unfaithful, he abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

14 T ell your people about these things again. In the name of the Lord, tell them not to argue over words that are not important. It helps no one and it hurts the faith of those who are listening.

Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers.

15 D o your best to know that God is pleased with you. Be as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of. Teach the words of truth in the right way.

Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth.

16 D o not listen to foolish talk about things that mean nothing. It only leads people farther away from God.

But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety,

17 S uch talk will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like this.

and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 T hey have turned from the truth. They say the dead have already been raised. The faith of some people has been made weak because of such foolish talk.

who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 B ut the truth of God cannot be changed. It says, “The Lord knows those who are His.” And, “Everyone who says he is a Christian must turn away from sin!”

Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of Lord withdraw from iniquity.

20 I n a big house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are of more use than others. Some are used every day.

But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 I f a man lives a clean life, he will be like a dish made of gold. He will be respected and set apart for good use by the owner of the house.

If therefore one shall have purified himself from these,, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 T urn away from the sinful things young people want to do. Go after what is right. Have a desire for faith and love and peace. Do this with those who pray to God from a clean heart.

But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 L et me say it again. Have nothing to do with foolish talk and those who want to argue. It can only lead to trouble.

But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.

24 A servant owned by God must not make trouble. He must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must be willing to suffer when hurt for doing good.

And a bondman of Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing;

25 B e gentle when you try to teach those who are against what you say. God may change their hearts so they will turn to the truth.

in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of truth,

26 T hen they will know they had been held in a trap by the devil to do what he wanted them to do. But now they are able to get out of it.

and that they may awake up out of the snare of the devil, taken by him, for his will.