2 Timothy 2
1 So then, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.
You therefore, my child, be strengthened 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.
The things you heard from me among many witnesses, entrust them to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.
3 Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.
Suffer hardship with me, as 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.
No soldier serves while entangled in the affairs of this life, so that he may please his superior officer.
5 And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.
Also, if someone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes by the rules.
6 It is right for the worker in the fields to be the first to take of the fruit.
It is necessary that the hardworking farmer receive his share of the crops first.
7 Give thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things.
Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
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, from David's seed, who was raised from the dead. This is according to my gospel message,
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 am suffering to the point of being bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.
10 But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
Therefore I endure all things for those who are chosen, so that they also 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 have 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 also will deny us.
13 If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.
if we are unfaithful, 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.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
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.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no reason to be ashamed, who accurately teaches the word of truth.
16 But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,
Avoid profane talk, which leads to more and more godlessness.
17 And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Their talk will spread like cancer. 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 gone astray from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already happened, and they destroy 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.
However, the firm foundation of God stands. It has this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his” and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must depart from unrighteousness.”
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.
In a wealthy home, there are not only containers of gold and silver. There are also containers of wood and clay. Some of these are for honorable use, and some for dishonorable.
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.
If someone cleans himself from dishonorable use, he is an honorable container. He is set apart, 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 youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a clean heart.
23 And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
But refuse foolish and ignorant questions. You know that they give birth to arguments.
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,
The Lord's servant must not quarrel. Instead he must be gentle toward all, able to teach, and patient.
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 in meekness educate those who oppose him. God may perhaps give them repentance for the 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.
They may become sober again and leave the devil's trap, after they have been captured by him for his will.
