Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(A)charging them before the Lord not to ^[a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ^15 (B)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[b]idle babblings, for they will ^[c]increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. ^(C)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, ^(D)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless ^(E)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord ^(F)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[d]Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only ^(G)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ^[e]sanctified and useful for the Master, ^(H)prepared for every good work. ^22 (I)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And ^(J)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(K)able to teach, ^(L)patient, ^25 (M)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(N)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(O)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(P)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that ^(Q)in the last days ^[f]perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, ^[g]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ^4 (R)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ^5 (S)having a form of godliness but ^(T)denying its power. And ^(U)from such people turn away! ⁶ For ^(V)of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able ^(W)to come to the knowledge of the truth. ^8 (X)Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: ^(Y)men of corrupt minds, ^(Z)disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, ^(AA)as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

^10 (AB)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me ^(AC)at Antioch, ^(AD)at Iconium, ^(AE)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And ^(AF)out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and ^(AG)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ^13 (AH)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must ^(AI)continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known ^(AJ)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

^16 (AK)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ^(AL)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for ^[h]instruction in righteousness, ^17 (AM)that the man of God may be complete, ^(AN)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

^8 (A)Therefore do not be ashamed of ^(B)the testimony of our Lord, nor of me ^(C)His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, ^(D)not according to our works, but ^(E)according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus ^(F)before time began, ¹⁰ but ^(G)has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Be Loyal to the Faith

^13 (A)Hold fast ^(B)the pattern of ^(C)sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Be Strong in Grace

2 You therefore, ^(A)my son, ^(B)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, ^(A)of the seed of David, ^(B)was raised from the dead ^(C)according to my gospel,

² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. ^(A)Convince, ^(B)rebuke, ^(C)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Guidance for the Young

God’s Supreme Revelation^(A)

1 God, who ^[a]at various times and ^(B)in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ^[b]worlds;