2 Timothy 2
1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
You then, my child, must be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
All that you have been taught by me in the hearing of many witnesses, you must hand on to trusty men who shall themselves, in turn, be competent to instruct others also.
3 Suffer hardship with [me], as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
As a good soldier of Christ Jesus accept your share of suffering.
4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
Every one who serves as a soldier keeps himself from becoming entangled in the world's business--so that he may satisfy the officer who enlisted him.
5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.
And if any one takes part in an athletic contest, he gets no prize unless he obeys the rules.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be the first to partake of the fruits.
The harvestman who labours in the field must be the first to get a share of the crop.
7 Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.
Mark well what I am saying: the Lord will give you discernment in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
Never forget that Jesus Christ has risen from among the dead and is a descendant of David, as is declared in the Good News which I preach.
9 wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
For preaching the Good News I suffer, and am even put in chains, as if I were a criminal: yet the word of God is not imprisoned.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of God's own people; so that they also may obtain salvation--even the salvation which is in Christ Jesus--and with it eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)
11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
Faithful is the saying: "If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;
12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
"If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.
"And even if our faith fails, He remains true--He cannot prove false to Himself."
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging [them] in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame.
16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety,
17 and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men of that stamp.
18 men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.
In the matter of the truth they have gone astray, saying that the Resurrection is already past, and so they are overthrowing the faith of some.
19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
Yet God's solid foundation stands unmoved, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who really belong to Him." And this also, "Let every one who names the Name of the Lord renounce all wickedness."
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honour, and some unto dishonour.
Now in a great house there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also others of wood and of earthenware; and some are for specially honourable, and others for common use.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.
If therefore a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he himself will be for specially honourable use, consecrated, fit for the Master's service, and fully equipped for every good work.
22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Keep a strong curb, however, on your youthful cravings; and strive for integrity, good faith, love, peace, in company with all who pray to the Lord with pure hearts.
23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels;
24 And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
and a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under wrongs.
25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
He must speak in a gentle tone when correcting the errors of opponents, in the hope that God will at last give them repentance, for them to come to a full knowledge of the truth
26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by the Lord’s servant unto the will of God.
and recover sober-mindedness and freedom from the Devil's snare, though they are now entrapped by him to do his will.
