2 Timothy 2
1 So then, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.
You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.
And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
3 Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army.
A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.
Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 It is right for the worker in the fields to be the first to take of the fruit.
The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 Give thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things.
Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who came back from the dead, as my good news gives witness:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,
9 In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains, like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains.
for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
10 But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
11 This is a true saying: If we undergo death with him, then will we be living with him:
This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we go on to the end, then we will be ruling with him: if we say we have no knowledge of him, then he will say he has no knowledge of us:
if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.
if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
14 Put these things before them, giving them orders in the name of the Lord to keep themselves from fighting about words, which is of no profit, only causing error in their hearers.
Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
15 Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
16 But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;
and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 Men whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.
who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
19 But God's strong base is unchanging, having this sign, The Lord has knowledge of those who are his: and, Let everyone by whom the name of the Lord is named be turned away from evil.
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but others of wood and earth, and some which are honoured and some without honour.
A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.
21 If a man makes himself clean from these, he will be a vessel for honour, made holy, ready for the master's use, ready for every good work.
So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.
22 But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.
Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
25 Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
26 And so they may get themselves free from the net of the Evil One, being made the prisoners of the Lord's servant, for the purpose of God.
Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
