1 T ú, hijo mío, esfuérzate en la gracia que tenemos en Cristo Jesús.

So you, my son, be strong in the loving-favor of Christ Jesus.

2 L o que has oído de mí ante muchos testigos, encárgaselo a hombres fieles que sean idóneos para enseñar también a otros.

What 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.

3 T ú, por tu parte, sufre penalidades como buen soldado de Jesucristo.

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 N inguno que milita se enreda en los negocios de la vida, a fin de agradar a aquel que lo tomó por soldado.

No soldier fighting in a war can take time to make a living. He must please the one who made him a soldier.

5 Y tampoco el que lucha como atleta es coronado, si no lucha legítimamente.

Anyone who runs in a race must follow the rules to get the crown.

6 E l labrador, para participar de los frutos, debe trabajar primero.

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

7 C onsidera lo que digo, y el Señor te dé entendimiento en todo.

Think about these things and the Lord will help you understand them.

8 A cuérdate de Jesucristo, del linaje de David, que resucitó de los muertos conforme a mi evangelio,

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

9 e n el cual sufro penalidades, y hasta encarcelamientos, como si fuera yo un malhechor; pero la palabra de Dios no está presa.

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.

10 P or eso todo lo soporto por causa de los escogidos, para que ellos también obtengan la salvación que es en Cristo Jesús con gloria eterna.

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.

11 E sta palabra es fiel: Si morimos con él, también viviremos con él;

These things are true. If we die with Him, we will live with Him also.

12 S i sufrimos, también reinaremos con él; Si lo negamos, también él nos negará.

If 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.

13 S i somos infieles, él permanece fiel; Él no puede negarse a sí mismo. Un obrero aprobado

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

14 R ecuérdales esto, y exhórtalos ante el Señor a no contender acerca de palabras, que para nada aprovecha y que sólo lleva a la perdición de los que escuchan.

Tell 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.

15 P rocura con diligencia presentarte ante Dios aprobado, como obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse y que usa bien la palabra de verdad.

Do 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.

16 P ero evita las palabrerías vanas y profanas, porque más y más conducen a la impiedad

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

17 y su palabra carcome como gangrena; entre esa gente están Himeneo y Fileto,

Such talk will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like this.

18 q ue se desviaron de la verdad al decir que la resurrección ya se efectuó, con lo que trastornan la fe de algunos.

They 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.

19 P ero el fundamento de Dios está firme, y tiene este sello: «El Señor conoce a los que son suyos»; y: «Que se aparte de la iniquidad todo aquel que invoca el nombre de Cristo.»

But 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!”

20 E n una casa grande hay no sólo utensilios de oro y de plata, sino también de madera y de barro; y unos son para usos honrosos, y otros para usos viles.

In 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.

21 A sí que, quien se limpia de estas cosas será un instrumento para honra, santificado, útil al Señor, y dispuesto para toda buena obra.

If 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.

22 H uye también de las pasiones juveniles, y sigue la justicia, la fe, el amor y la paz, junto con aquellos que con un corazón limpio invocan al Señor.

Turn 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.

23 P ero desecha las cuestiones necias e insensatas; tú sabes que generan contiendas.

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

24 Y el siervo del Señor no debe ser contencioso, sino amable para con todos, apto para enseñar, sufrido;

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.

25 q ue corrija con mansedumbre a los que se oponen, por si acaso Dios les concede arrepentirse para que conozcan la verdad

Be 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.

26 y escapen del lazo del diablo, en el cual se hallan cautivos y sujetos a su voluntad.

Then 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.