Be Strong

You therefore, my [a](A)son, (B)be strong in the grace that is in (C)Christ Jesus. The things (D)which you have heard from me in the presence of (E)many witnesses, (F)entrust these to (G)faithful men who will be (H)able to teach others also. (I)Suffer hardship with me, as a good (J)soldier of (K)Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service (L)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone (M)competes as an athlete, he [b]does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. (N)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, (O)risen from the dead, (P)descendant of David, (Q)according to my gospel, [c]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 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)It is a trustworthy statement:

For (AD)if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, (AE)we will also reign with Him;
If we [d](AF)deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, (AG)He remains faithful, for (AH)He cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Workman

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly (AI)charge them in the presence of God not to (AJ)wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to (AK)present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (AL)the word of truth. 16 But (AM)avoid (AN)worldly and empty chatter, for [e]it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their [f]talk will spread like [g]gangrene. Among them are (AO)Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that (AP)the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset (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 abstain from wickedness.”

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and (AV)some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from (AW)these things, he will be a vessel 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 [h]quarrels. 24 (BE)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, (BF)able to teach, 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 [i]by him to do his will.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:1 Or child
  2. 2 Timothy 2:5 Lit is not crowned
  3. 2 Timothy 2:9 Lit in which
  4. 2 Timothy 2:12 Lit will deny
  5. 2 Timothy 2:16 Lit they will make further progress in ungodliness
  6. 2 Timothy 2:17 Lit word
  7. 2 Timothy 2:17 Or cancer
  8. 2 Timothy 2:23 Lit fightings
  9. 2 Timothy 2:26 Or by him, to do His will