Be Strong

2 You therefore, my ^[a](A)son, ^(B)be strong in the grace that is in ^(C)Christ Jesus. ² The things ^(D)which you have heard from me in the presence of ^(E)many witnesses, ^(F)entrust these to ^(G)faithful ^[b]people who will be ^(H)able to teach others also. ^3 (I)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(J)soldier of ^(K)Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service ^(L)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise ^(M)competes as an athlete, he is not ^[c]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ^6 (N)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(O)risen from the dead, ^(P)descendant of David, ^(Q)according to my gospel, ^9 [d]for which I ^(R)suffer hardship even to ^(S)imprisonment as a ^(T)criminal; but ^(U)the word of God ^(V)is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason ^(W)I endure all things for ^(X)the sake of ^[e]those who are chosen, ^(Y)so that they also may obtain the ^(Z)salvation which is in ^(AA)Christ Jesus and with it ^(AB)eternal glory. ^11 (AC)The statement is trustworthy:

An Unashamed Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(AI)exhort them in the presence of God not to ^(AJ)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(AK)present yourself approved to God as a worker who ^[g]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(AL)the word of truth. ¹⁶ But ^(AM)avoid ^(AN)worldly and empty chatter, for ^[h]it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their ^[i]talk will spread like ^[j]gangrene. Among them are ^(AO)Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that ^(AP)the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing ^(AQ)the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(AR)firm foundation of God stands, having this ^(AS)seal: “^(AT)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “^(AU)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and ^(AV)some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^(AW)these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ^(AX)prepared for every good work. ²² Now ^(AY)flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ^(AZ)faith, love, and peace with those who ^(BA)call on the Lord ^(BB)from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant ^(BC)speculations, knowing that they ^(BD)produce ^[k]quarrels. ^24 (BE)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ^(BF)skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ^25 (BG)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ^(BH)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ^(BI)the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(BJ)the snare of the devil, having been ^(BK)held captive ^[l]by him to do his will.

Difficult Times Will Come

3 But realize this, that ^(BL)in the last days difficult times will come. ² For people will be ^(BM)lovers of self, ^(BN)lovers of money, ^(BO)boastful, ^(BP)arrogant, ^(BQ)slanderers, ^(BR)disobedient to parents, ^(BS)ungrateful, ^(BT)unholy, ^3 (BU)unloving, irreconcilable, ^(BV)malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, ^[m](BW)haters of good, ^4 (BX)treacherous, ^(BY)reckless, ^(BZ)conceited, ^(CA)lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of ^[n](CB)godliness although they have ^(CC)denied its power; ^(CD)avoid such people as these. ⁶ For among them are those who ^[o](CE)slip into households and captivate ^[p](CF)weak women weighed down with sins, led on by ^(CG)various impulses, ⁷ always learning and never able to ^(CH)come to the ^[q]knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as ^(CI)Jannes and Jambres ^(CJ)opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, ^(CK)men of depraved mind, ^[r]worthless in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress; for their ^(CL)foolishness will be obvious to all, just ^(CM)as was that also of ^[s]Jannes and Jambres.

¹⁰ Now you ^(CN)followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, ^(CO)love, ^[t]perseverance, ^11 (CP)persecutions, and ^(CQ)sufferings, such as happened to me at ^(CR)Antioch, at ^(CS)Iconium, and at ^(CT)Lystra; what ^(CU)persecutions I endured, and out of them all ^(CV)the Lord rescued me! ¹² Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus ^(CW)will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors ^(CX)will proceed from bad to worse, ^(CY)deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ You, however, ^(CZ)continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that ^(DA)from childhood you have known ^(DB)the sacred writings which are able to ^(DC)give you the wisdom that leads to ^(DD)salvation through faith which is in ^(DE)Christ Jesus. ^16 (DF)All Scripture is ^[u]inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for ^[v]rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that ^(DG)the man or woman of God may be ^[w]fully capable, ^(DH)equipped for every good work.