1 Remember Jesus Christ You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Suffer hardship withme, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
5 And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
7 Understand what I say, for the Lord will give you insight in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel,
9 2:9Lit in which for which I endure hardship even to chains as a criminal. But the word of God has not been chained.
10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 It is a trustworthy saying:For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;If we will deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.Accurately Handle the Word of Truth
14 Remindthemof these things, solemnly chargingthemin the presence of God not to dispute about words, which is uselessand leadsto the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid godlessandempty chatter, for 2:16Lit they will make further progress in ungodliness it will lead to further ungodliness,
17 and their word will spread like 2:17Or cancer gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The 2:19 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Num 16:5 Lord knows those who areHis,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the 2:19 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Joel 2:23 Lordis todepart from wickedness.”
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from thesethings, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love,andpeace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce 2:23Lit conflicts quarrels.
24 And the Lord’s slave must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may give them repentance leading to the full knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their sensesand escapefrom the snare of the devil, having been held captive 2:26Or by him, to do His will by him to do his will.