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2 Timothy 2:14-26
New International Version
2 Timothy 2:14-26
New International Version
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(A) 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.(B) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(C) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(D) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(E) and they destroy the faith of some.(F) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(G) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(H) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(I) 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.(J) 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.(K)
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(L) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(M) out of a pure heart.(N) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(O) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(P) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(Q) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(R) who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
An Approved Worker
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God[a] not to fight about words;(A) this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.(B) 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.(C) 17 And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus(D) and Philetus are among them. 18 They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,(E) and are overturning the faith of some.(F) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:(G)
The Lord knows those who are His,(H)[b] and
Everyone who names the name(I) of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness.(J)
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls,(K) but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable[c] use, some for dishonorable.[d](L) 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,[e] he will be a special[f] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.(M)
22 Flee(N) from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,(O) along with those who call on the Lord(P) from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s(Q) slave must not quarrel,(R) but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,[g] and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness.(S) Perhaps God will grant them repentance(T) leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap,(U) having been captured by him to do his will.(V)
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- 2 Timothy 2:14 Other mss read before the Lord
- 2 Timothy 2:19 Nm 16:5
- 2 Timothy 2:20 Or special
- 2 Timothy 2:20 Or ordinary
- 2 Timothy 2:21 Lit from these
- 2 Timothy 2:21 Or an honorable
- 2 Timothy 2:24 Or everyone, skillful in teaching
2 Timothy 2:14-26
New Living Translation
2 Timothy 2:14-26
New Living Translation
14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
An Approved Worker
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer,[a] as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”[b] and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”[c]
20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
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2 Timothy 2:14-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 Timothy 2:14-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
A Worker Approved by God
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord[a] that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.(A) 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[b] into more and more impiety,(B) 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,(C) 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying resurrection[c] has already occurred. They are upsetting the faith of some.(D) 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.”(E)
20 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special[d] use, some for ordinary.[e](F) 21 All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned[f] will become special[g] utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.(G) 22 Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.(H) 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.(I) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,(J) 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth(K) 26 and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.[h]
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2 Timothy 2:14-26
King James Version
2 Timothy 2:14-26
King James Version
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But 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 a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.