1 我儿阿,你要在基督耶稣的恩典上刚强起来。 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
2 你在许多见证人面前听见我所教训的,也要交托那忠心能教导别人的人。 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 你要和我同受苦难,好像基督耶稣的精兵。 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
4 凡在军中当兵的,不将世务缠身,好叫那招他当兵的人喜悦。 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. |
5 人若在场上比武,非按规矩,就不能得冠冕。 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. |
6 劳力的农夫,理当先得粮食。 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. |
7 我所说的话你要思想。因为凡事主必给你聪明。 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. |
8 你要记念耶稣基督乃是大卫的后裔。他从死里复活,正合乎我所传的福音。 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, |
9 我为这福音受苦难,甚至被捆绑,像犯人一样。然而神的道,却不被捆绑。 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. |
10 所以我为选民凡事忍耐,叫他们也可以得着那在基督耶稣里的救恩,和永远的荣耀。 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 有可信的话说,我们若与基督同死,也必与他同活。 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; |
12 我们若能忍耐,也必和他一同作王。我们若不认他,他也必不认我们。 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; |
13 我们纵然失信,他仍是可信的。因为他不能背乎自己。 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. |
14 你要使众人回想这些事,在主面前嘱咐他们,不可为言语争辩。这是没有益处的,只能败坏听见的人。 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 你当竭力,在神面前得蒙喜悦,作无愧的工人,按着正意分解真理的道。 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 但要远避世俗的虚谈。因为这等人必进到更不敬虔的地步。 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. |
17 他们的话如同毒疮,越烂越大。其中有许米乃和腓理徒。 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
18 他们偏离了真道,说复活的事已过,就败坏好些人的信心。 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. |
19 然而神坚固的根基立住了。上面有这印记说,主认识谁是他的人。又说,凡称呼主名的人,总要离开不义。 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 在大户人家,不但有金器银器,也有木器瓦器。有作为贵重的,有作为卑贱的。 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 人若自洁,脱离卑贱的事,就必作贵重的器皿,成为圣洁,合乎主用,预备行各样的善事。 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 你要逃避少年的私欲,同那清心祷告主的人追求公义,信德,仁爱,和平。 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 惟有那愚拙无学问的辩论,总要弃绝。因为知道这等事是起争竞的。 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. |
24 然而主的仆人不可争竞,只要温温和和的待众人,善于教导,存心忍耐, And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. |
25 用温柔劝戒那抵挡的人。或者神给他们悔改的心,可以明白真道。 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 叫他们这已经被魔鬼任意掳去的,可以醒悟,脱离他的网罗。 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. |