Be Strong

You therefore, my [a](A)son, (B)be strong in the grace that is in (C)Christ Jesus. 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. (I)Suffer hardship with me, as a good (J)soldier of (K)Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service (L)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. And if someone likewise (M)competes as an athlete, he is not [c]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. (N)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, (O)risen from the dead, (P)descendant of David, (Q)according to my gospel, [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:

For (AD)if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, (AE)we will also reign with Him;
If we [f](AF)deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 If we are faithless, (AG)He remains faithful, for (AH)He cannot deny Himself.

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.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:1 Or child
  2. 2 Timothy 2:2 Or men
  3. 2 Timothy 2:5 I.e., with a wreath
  4. 2 Timothy 2:9 Lit in which
  5. 2 Timothy 2:10 Or the chosen
  6. 2 Timothy 2:12 Lit will deny
  7. 2 Timothy 2:15 Or has no reason to
  8. 2 Timothy 2:16 Lit they will make further progress in ungodliness
  9. 2 Timothy 2:17 Lit word
  10. 2 Timothy 2:17 Or cancer
  11. 2 Timothy 2:23 Lit fightings
  12. 2 Timothy 2:26 Or by him, to do His will

Thou, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that [is] in Christ Jesus,

and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach;

thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ;

no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please;

and if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully;

the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake;

be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, according to my good news,

in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound;

10 because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that [is] in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.

11 Stedfast [is] the word: For if we died together -- we also shall live together;

12 if we do endure together -- we shall also reign together; if we deny [him], he also shall deny us;

13 if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.

14 These things remind [them] of, testifying fully before the Lord -- not to strive about words to nothing profitable, but to the subversion of those hearing;

15 be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;

16 and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,

17 and their word as a gangrene will have pasture, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;

19 sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, `The Lord hath known those who are His,' and `Let him depart from unrighteousness -- every one who is naming the name of Christ.'

20 And in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honour, and some to dishonour:

21 if, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared,

22 and the youthful lusts flee thou, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart;

23 and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,

24 and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil,

25 in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth,

26 and they may awake out of the devil's snare, having been caught by him at his will.