| 1 | ¶ Thou therefore, my child, be strong in the grace which {is} in Christ Jesus. | |
| 2 | And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also. | |
| 3 | Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | |
| 4 | No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier. | |
| 5 | And if also any one contend {in the games}, he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully. | |
| 6 | The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits. | |
| 7 | Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things. | |
| 8 | ¶ Remember Jesus Christ raised from among {the} dead, of {the} seed of David, according to my glad tidings, | |
| 9 | in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound. | |
| 10 | For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that *they* also may obtain the salvation which {is} in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. | |
| 11 | The word {is} faithful; for if we have died together with {him}, we shall also live together; | |
| 12 | if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, *he* also will deny us; | |
| 13 | if we are unfaithful, *he* abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself. | |
| 14 | ¶ Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers. | |
| 15 | Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth. | |
| 16 | But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety, | |
| 17 | and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; | |
| 18 | {men} who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some. | |
| 19 | ¶ Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, {The} Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of {the} Lord withdraw from iniquity. | |
| 20 | But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. | |
| 21 | If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, {in separating himself from them}, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work. | |
| 22 | ¶ But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. | |
| 23 | But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions. | |
| 24 | And a bondman of {the} Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing; | |
| 25 | in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of {the} truth, | |
| 26 | and that they may awake up out of the snare of the devil, {who are} taken by him, for *his* will. | |