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2 Timothy 2-3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 Timothy 2-3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
2 You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.(A) 3 Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. 5 And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.(B) 6 It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.(C) 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(D) 11 The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;(E)
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
he[a] cannot deny himself.(F)
A Worker Approved by God
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord[b] that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.(G) 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people[c] into more and more impiety,(H) 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,(I) 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying resurrection[d] has already occurred. They are upsetting the faith of some.(J) 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”(K)
20 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special[e] use, some for ordinary.[f](L) 21 All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned[g] will become special[h] utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.(M) 22 Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.(N) 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.(O) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,(P) 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth(Q) 26 and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.[i]
Godlessness in the Last Days
3 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,(R) 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good,(S) 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,(T) 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 6 For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate immature women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires,(U) 7 who are always studying yet never able to recognize truth. 8 As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth.(V) 9 But they will not make much progress because, as in the case of those two men,[j] their folly will become plain to everyone.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,(W) 11 my persecutions, and my sufferings, the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.(X) 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.(Y) 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.(Z) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is[k] useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,(AA) 17 so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.(AB)
Footnotes
- 2.13 Other ancient authorities read for he
- 2.14 Other ancient authorities read God
- 2.16 Gk for they will advance
- 2.18 Other ancient authorities read the resurrection
- 2.20 Gk honorable
- 2.20 Gk dishonorable
- 2.21 Gk of these things
- 2.21 Gk honorable
- 2.26 Or by him, to do his (that is, God’s) will
- 3.9 Gk lacks two men
- 3.16 Or Every scripture inspired by God is also
2 Timothy 2-3
New International Version
2 Timothy 2-3
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)
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
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