The Futility of Life

6 There is an ^(A)evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is widespread ^[a]among mankind: ² a person to whom God has ^(B)given riches, wealth, and honor, so that his soul ^(C)lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God has not given him the opportunity to ^[b]enjoy these things, but a foreigner ^[c]enjoys them. This is futility and a severe affliction. ³ If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many ^[d]they may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper ^(D)burial, then I say, “Better ^(E)the miscarriage than he, ⁴ for a miscarriage comes in futility and goes into darkness; and its name is covered in darkness. ⁵ It has not even seen the sun nor does it know it; yet ^[e]it is better off than that man. ⁶ Even if the man lives a thousand years twice, but does not see good things—^(F)do not all go to one and the same place?”

^7 (G)All a person’s labor is for his mouth, and yet ^[f]his appetite is not ^[g]satisfied. ⁸ For ^(H)what advantage does the wise person have over the fool? What does the poor person have, knowing how to walk before the living? ⁹ What the eyes ^(I)see is better than what the soul ^[h]desires. This too is ^(J)futility and striving after wind.

¹⁰ Whatever ^(K)exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he ^(L)cannot dispute with the ^[i]one who is mightier than he is. ¹¹ For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a person? ¹² For who knows what is good for a person during his lifetime, during the few ^[j]years of his futile life? He will ^[k]spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a person ^(M)what will happen after him under the sun?

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. ^3 (I)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(J)soldier of ^(K)Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service ^(L)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise ^(M)competes as an athlete, he is not ^[c]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ^6 (N)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(O)risen from the dead, ^(P)descendant of David, ^(Q)according to my gospel, ^9 [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:

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.