Become Strong In Grace, My Child, And Suffer Hardship With Me Like a Good Soldier

2 Therefore you, my child, become-strong in^[a] the grace in Christ Jesus. ² And the things which you heard from me through many witnesses, these things deposit^[b] with faithful people who will be competent^[c] to teach others also. ³ Suffer-hardship with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Consider the Soldier, Athlete And Farmer

⁴ No one while serving-as-a-soldier entangles himself in the affairs of life, in order that he may please the one having enlisted him. ⁵ And also if one competes [in an athletic contest], he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully. ⁶ The laboring farmer must^[d] be first to receive-a-share of the fruits. ⁷ Be considering what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ And The Gospel For Which I Am Imprisoned

⁸ Be remembering Jesus Christ having been raised from the dead, from the seed of David, according to my good-news— ⁹ in connection with which^[e] I am suffering-hardship to the point of imprisonment like a criminal. Nevertheless the Word of God has not been bound^[f]! ¹⁰ For this reason, I am enduring all things for the sake of the chosen ones, in order that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

If We Endure, We Will Reign With Him. He Will Be Faithful To Us

¹¹ The saying is trustworthy— for if we died-with Him, we will also live-with Him; ¹² if we are enduring, we will also reign-with Him; if we shall deny Him, that One also will deny us; ¹³ if we are faithless^[g], that One remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. ¹⁴ Be reminding them of these things, solemnly-warning in the sight of God not to battle-about-words for nothing useful^[h], to^[i] the overthrow^[j] of the ones hearing.

Be Diligent To Present Yourself As an Approved Worker of The Word of Truth

¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker not-needing-to-be-ashamed, cutting-straight^[k] the word of truth.

Shun Worthless Talk. Be an Honorable, Useful Vessel Prepared For Good Works

¹⁶ But be shunning the profane^[l] empty-chatterings. For they^[m] will advance further in ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk^[n] will have a spreading like gangrene— of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who missed-the-mark with regard to the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning^[o] the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal— “The Lord knows the ones being His” and “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness”. ²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only golden and silver vessels, but also wooden and made-of-clay— even some for honor and others for dishonor. ²¹ If then one cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor— having been sanctified^[p], useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.

Flee Youthful Desires. Pursue Righteousness, Faith, Love And Peace

²² And be fleeing the youthful desires, and be pursuing righteousness, faith, love, peace, with the ones calling-upon the Lord from a pure heart.

Decline Foolish Controversies. Be Kind, Skillful At Teaching, Gentle At Correcting

²³ And be declining the foolish and ignorant controversies, knowing that they breed battles. ²⁴ And a slave of the Lord must not battle, but must be kind to everyone, skillful-at-teaching, forbearing^[q], ²⁵ correcting the ones opposing with gentleness, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading-to the knowledge of the truth ²⁶ and they may return-to-their-senses from the snare of the devil, having been caught^[r] by him, for the will of that one^[s].