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.