2 Timothy 2-3

New King James Version

Be Strong in Grace

2 You therefore, ^(A)my son, ^(B)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must ^(C)endure^[a] hardship ^(D)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ^4 (E)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ And also ^(F)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, and ^[b]may the Lord ^(G)give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, ^(H)of the seed of David, ^(I)was raised from the dead ^(J)according to my gospel, ^9 (K)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, ^(L)even to the point of chains; ^(M)but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore ^(N)I endure all things for the sake of the ^[c]elect, ^(O)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(T)charging them before the Lord not to ^[d]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ^15 (U)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 ^[e]idle babblings, for they will ^[f]increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. ^(V)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, ^(W)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless ^(X)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord ^(Y)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[g]Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only ^(Z)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, ^[h]sanctified and useful for the Master, ^(AA)prepared for every good work. ^22 (AB)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 ^(AC)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(AD)able to teach, ^(AE)patient, ^25 (AF)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(AG)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(AH)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(AI)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 ^(AJ)in the last days ^[i]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, ^[j]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ^4 (AK)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ^5 (AL)having a form of godliness but ^(AM)denying its power. And ^(AN)from such people turn away! ⁶ For ^(AO)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 ^(AP)to come to the knowledge of the truth. ^8 (AQ)Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: ^(AR)men of corrupt minds, ^(AS)disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, ^(AT)as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

^10 (AU)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me ^(AV)at Antioch, ^(AW)at Iconium, ^(AX)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And ^(AY)out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and ^(AZ)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ^13 (BA)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must ^(BB)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 ^(BC)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

^16 (BD)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ^(BE)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for ^[k]instruction in righteousness, ^17 (BF)that the man of God may be complete, ^(BG)thoroughly equipped for every good work.