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2 Timothy 2-4
New Living Translation
2 Timothy 2-4
New Living Translation
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
2 Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
An Approved Worker
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer,[a] as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”[b] and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”[c]
20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
The Dangers of the Last Days
3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[d] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
4 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Paul’s Final Words
9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.[e]
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.
16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.[f] 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Paul’s Final Greetings
19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.[g]
22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.
2 Timothy 2-4
New International Version
2 Timothy 2-4
New International Version
The Appeal Renewed
2 You then, my son,(A) be strong(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say(C) in the presence of many witnesses(D) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering,(E) like a good soldier(F) of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(G) except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(H) 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,(I) descended from David.(J) This is my gospel,(K) 9 for which I am suffering(L) even to the point of being chained(M) like a criminal. But God’s word(N) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(O) for the sake of the elect,(P) that they too may obtain the salvation(Q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(R)
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(S)
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;(T)
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.(U)
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;(V)
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,(W)
for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(X) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(Y) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(Z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(AA) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(AB) and they destroy the faith of some.(AC) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(AD) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(AE) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(AF) 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 special purposes and some for common use.(AG) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.(AH)
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(AI) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(AJ) out of a pure heart.(AK) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(AL) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(AM) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(AN) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(AO) who has taken them captive to do his will.
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.(AP) 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,(AQ) boastful, proud,(AR) abusive,(AS) disobedient to their parents,(AT) ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous,(AU) rash, conceited,(AV) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness(AW) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.(AX)
6 They are the kind who worm their way(AY) into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.(AZ) 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,(BA) so also these teachers oppose(BB) the truth. They are men of depraved minds,(BC) who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,(BD) their folly will be clear to everyone.
A Final Charge to Timothy
10 You, however, know all about my teaching,(BE) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,(BF) Iconium(BG) and Lystra,(BH) the persecutions I endured.(BI) Yet the Lord rescued(BJ) me from all of them.(BK) 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,(BL) 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,(BM) deceiving and being deceived.(BN) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,(BO) 15 and how from infancy(BP) you have known the Holy Scriptures,(BQ) which are able to make you wise(BR) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed(BS) and is useful for teaching,(BT) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(BU) 17 so that the servant of God[a](BV) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(BW)
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,(BX) and in view of his appearing(BY) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:(BZ) 2 Preach(CA) the word;(CB) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke(CC) and encourage(CD)—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.(CE) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.(CF) 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.(CG) 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,(CH) do the work of an evangelist,(CI) discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,(CJ) and the time for my departure is near.(CK) 7 I have fought the good fight,(CL) I have finished the race,(CM) I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me(CN) the crown of righteousness,(CO) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day(CP)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.(CQ)
Personal Remarks
9 Do your best to come to me quickly,(CR) 10 for Demas,(CS) because he loved this world,(CT) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.(CU) Crescens has gone to Galatia,(CV) and Titus(CW) to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke(CX) is with me.(CY) Get Mark(CZ) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus(DA) to Ephesus.(DB) 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,(DC) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander(DD) the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.(DE) 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.(DF) 17 But the Lord stood at my side(DG) and gave me strength,(DH) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.(DI) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.(DJ) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack(DK) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.(DL) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(DM)
Final Greetings
19 Greet Priscilla[b] and Aquila(DN) and the household of Onesiphorus.(DO) 20 Erastus(DP) stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus(DQ) sick in Miletus.(DR) 21 Do your best to get here before winter.(DS) Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.[c]
22 The Lord be with your spirit.(DT) Grace be with you all.(DU)
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,
- 2 Timothy 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
- 2 Timothy 4:21 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.