2 Timothy 2
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
You must, then, my child, find strength in the help which comes from the union with Christ Jesus;
2 And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
and what you learnt from me, in the presence of many listeners, entrust to reliable people, who will be able in their turn to teach others.
3 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Share hardships with me, as a true soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
A soldier on active service, to please his superior officer, always avoids entangling himself in the affairs of ordinary life.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
No athlete is ever awarded the wreath of victory unless they have kept the rules.
6 The farmer that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.
The laborer who does the work should be the first to receive a share of the fruits of the earth.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Reflect on what I say; the Lord will always help you to understand.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Keep before your mind Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David, as told in the good news entrusted to me;
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
in the service of which I am suffering hardships, even to being put in fetters as a criminal. But the message of God is not fettered;
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
and that is why I submit to anything for the sake of God’s people: so that they also may obtain the salvation which comes from union with Christ Jesus, and imperishable glory. (aiōnios g166)
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
How true this saying is – ‘If we have shared his death, we will also share his life.
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we continue to endure, we will also share his throne. If we should ever disown him, he, too, will disown us.
13 If we believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny himself.
If we lose our trust, he is still to be trusted, for he cannot be false to himself!’
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Remind people of all this; tell them solemnly, as in the sight of God, to avoid controversy, a useless thing and the ruin of those who listen to it.
15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Do your utmost to show yourself true to God, a worker with no reason to be ashamed, accurate in delivering the message of the truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.
Avoid profane prattle. Those who indulge in it only get deeper into irreligious ways,
17 And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
and their teaching will spread like a cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are instances of this.
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
They have gone completely astray as regards the truth; they say that a resurrection has already taken place, and so upset some people’s faith.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Yet God’s firm foundation still stands unmoved, and it bears this inscription – ‘THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS’; and this – ‘LET ALL THOSE WHO USE THE NAME OF THE LORD TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS.’
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
Now in a large house there are not only things of gold and silver, but also others of wood and earthenware, some for better and some for common use.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared to every good work.
If, then, a person has escaped from the pollution of such errors as I have mentioned, they will be like a thing kept for better use, set apart, serviceable to its owner, ready for any good purpose.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Flee from the passions of youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in the company of those who, with a pure heart, invoke the Lord.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes.
Shun foolish and ignorant discussions, for you know that they only breed quarrels;
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,
and a servant of the Lord should never quarrel. They ought, on the contrary, to be courteous to everyone, skillful teachers, and forbearing.
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
They should instruct their opponents in a gentle spirit; for, possibly, God may give those opponents a repentance that will lead to a fuller knowledge of truth,
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
and they may yet come to a sober mind, and escape from the devil’s net, when captured by the Lord’s servant to do the will of God.
