< 2 Timothy 2 >

1 So then, my son, grow strong in the grace of Christ Jesus.
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is by Jesus the Messiah.
2 Take what you heard me say in front of many witnesses and share it with those who are trustworthy, who then can teach others as well.
And the things thou hast heard from me by many witnesses, these commit thou to faithful men, who are competent to teach others also.
3 Suffer together with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
And endure evils, as a good soldier of Jesus the Messiah.
4 A soldier on active duty doesn't get caught up in the business of everyday life. He wants to please the one who enlisted him.
No man, on becoming a soldier, entangleth himself with the business of the world; that he may please him who enlisted him.
5 Similarly athletes who compete in the games don't win a prize if they don't keep to the rules.
And if one contend in the games, he is not crowned, unless he contendeth according to the rules.
6 The farmer that does all the hard work should be the first to benefit from the crop.
The husbandman who laboreth, ought first to feed on his fruits.
7 Think about what I'm telling you. The Lord will help you to understand all this.
Consider what I say. Our Lord give thee wisdom in all things.
8 Focus your mind on Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, who was raised from the dead. This is my good news,
Be mindful of Jesus the Messiah, that he arose from the dead; who was of the seed of David, according to my gospel,
9 and I'm suffering imprisonment because of it as if I were a criminal—but the word of God is not imprisoned.
in which I suffer evils unto bonds, as if an evil-doer: but the word of God is not in bonds.
10 Despite all this I'm willing to keep on going for the sake of God's people so that they may gain the salvation of Christ Jesus that is eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
Therefore I endure every thing, for the elect's sake; that they also may obtain life, in Jesus the Messiah, with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
11 This is a trustworthy saying: “If we died with him, we will also live with him;
Faithful is the saying, For if we shall have died with him, we shall also live with him;
12 if we keep going, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us.
and, if we shall have suffered, we shall also reign with him. But if we shall have rejected him, he will reject us.
13 If we are not trustworthy, he is still trustworthy, for he cannot be untrue to himself.”
And if we shall have not believed in him, he abideth in his fidelity; for he cannot reject himself.
14 This is what you should remind people about, telling them before God that they shouldn't have meaningless arguments over words. To do this only harms those who listen.
Of these things admonish thou them and charge them, before our Lord, that they dispute not, with unprofitable words, to the subversion of those who hear them.
15 Make sure you work hard so you can present yourself to God and gain his approval. Be a worker that doesn't need to be embarrassed, using the word of truth correctly.
And study to present thyself before God, perfectly, a laborer who is not ashamed, one who correctly announceth the word of truth.
16 Avoid pointless chatter because people who do this are heading away from God.
Avoid vain discourses, in which there is no profit; for they very much add to the wickedness of those occupied with them.
17 Their teachings are as destructive as gangrene that destroys healthy flesh. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like this.
And their discourse, like an eating cancer, will lay hold upon many. And one of these is Hymeneus, and another Philetus;
18 They have deviated from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already happened, which has ruined some people's trust in God.
who have wandered from the truth, while they say, The resurrection of the dead hath passed: and they subvert the faith of some.
19 But God's solid, trustworthy foundation stone stands firm, with this inscription, “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord should stay away from all that is evil.”
But the firm foundation of God standeth; and it hath this seal, The Lord knoweth them who are his: and, Let every one who invoketh the name of our Lord, stand aloof from iniquity.
20 A stately home doesn't just have cups and bowls made of gold and silver. It also has ones made from wood and clay. Some are made for special use; others for more commonplace functions.
But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold or silver, but also of wood and of pottery; and some of them for honor, and some for dishonor.
21 So if you get rid of what is evil, you will become a cup or bowl that is holy and special, useful to the Lord, ready to do all that's good.
If therefore any one purge himself from these things, he will be a pure vessel for honor, fit for the use of his Lord, and prepared for every good work.
22 Run away from anything that fires up the desires of youth. Run after what is right and trustworthy, run after love and peace along with those who are true and pure Christians.
Fly from all the lusts of youth; and follow after righteousness, and faith, and love, and peace, with them that invoke our Lord with a pure heart.
23 Avoid foolish and childish debates, for you know they only lead to fights.
Avoid those foolish discussions which afford no instruction; for thou knowest, that they generate contests.
24 For the Lord's minister must not fight, but be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient,
And a servant of our Lord ought not to contend, but to be mild towards every one, and instructive, and patient;
25 gently correcting opponents. Perhaps God may help them to come to repent and to understand the truth.
that with mildness he may enlighten those who dispute against him, if perhaps God may give them repentance, and they may acknowledge the truth,
26 In this way they may come to their senses and escape the devil's trap. For he has captured them and made them do whatever he wants.
and may recollect themselves, and may escape out of the snare of Satan, at whose pleasure they have been held ensnared.

< 2 Timothy 2 >