^13 (A)Hold on to the ^(B)example of ^(C)sound words ^(D)which you have heard from me, in the ^(E)faith and love which are in ^(F)Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Protect, through the Holy Spirit who ^(G)dwells in us, the ^[a](H)treasure which has been entrusted to you.

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.

An Unashamed Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(A)exhort them in the presence of God not to ^(B)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(C)present yourself approved to God as a worker who ^[a]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(D)the word of truth. ¹⁶ But ^(E)avoid ^(F)worldly and empty chatter, for ^[b]it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their ^[c]talk will spread like ^[d]gangrene. Among them are ^(G)Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that ^(H)the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing ^(I)the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(J)firm foundation of God stands, having this ^(K)seal: “^(L)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “^(M)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 ^(N)some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^(O)these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ^(P)prepared for every good work. ²² Now ^(Q)flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ^(R)faith, love, and peace with those who ^(S)call on the Lord ^(T)from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant ^(U)speculations, knowing that they ^(V)produce ^[e]quarrels. ^24 (W)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ^(X)skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ^25 (Y)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ^(Z)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ^(AA)the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(AB)the snare of the devil, having been ^(AC)held captive ^[f]by him to do his will.

¹⁰ Now you ^(A)followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, ^(B)love, ^[a]perseverance, ^11 (C)persecutions, and ^(D)sufferings, such as happened to me at ^(E)Antioch, at ^(F)Iconium, and at ^(G)Lystra; what ^(H)persecutions I endured, and out of them all ^(I)the Lord rescued me! ¹² Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus ^(J)will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors ^(K)will proceed from bad to worse, ^(L)deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ You, however, ^(M)continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that ^(N)from childhood you have known ^(O)the sacred writings which are able to ^(P)give you the wisdom that leads to ^(Q)salvation through faith which is in ^(R)Christ Jesus. ^16 (S)All Scripture is ^[b]inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for ^[c]rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that ^(T)the man or woman of God may be ^[d]fully capable, ^(U)equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

4 ^(V)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to ^(W)judge the living and the dead, and by His ^(X)appearing and His kingdom: ² preach ^(Y)the word; be ready ^[e]in season and out of season; ^(Z)correct, rebuke, and ^[f]exhort, with ^[g]great ^(AA)patience and instruction. ³ For ^(AB)the time will come when they will not tolerate ^(AC)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, ⁴ and they ^(AD)will turn their ears away from the truth and ^(AE)will turn aside to myths. ⁵ But as for you, ^(AF)use self-restraint in all things, ^(AG)endure hardship, do the work of an ^(AH)evangelist, fulfill your ^(AI)ministry.