1: You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2: The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3: You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4: No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5: If also a man competes in the games, he is not crowned, unless he has competed by the rules. 6: The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. 7: Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8: Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, 9: in which I suffer hardship to bonds, as a criminal. But God's word isn't bound. 10: Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11: This saying is faithful: For if we died with him, We will also live with him. 12: If we endure, We will also reign with him. If we deny him, He also will deny us. 13: If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He can't deny himself. 14: Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. 15: Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. 16: But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17: and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18: men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. 19: However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." 20: Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. 21: If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work. 22: Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23: But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 24: The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 25: in gentleness correcting those who oppose him; if perhaps God may give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth, 26: and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
