| 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. |
| 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. |
| 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. |
| 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. |
| 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, |
| 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. |
| 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. |
| 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; |
| 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; |
| 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. |
| 14 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 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. |
| 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. |
| 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. |
| 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." |
| 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. |
| 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. |
| 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. |
| 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. |
| 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, |
| 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. |
