2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.
2:5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.
2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
2:7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
2:9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
2:13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2:17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2:18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
2:20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
2:21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2:23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2:25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
2:26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2:1 You therefore, my child, be empowered in the grace which is in Christ Jesus;
2:2 And the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be competent to teach others also.
2:3 Suffer evil with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2:5 And also if anyone contends in the games, he is not crowned unless he contends lawfully.
2:6 The laboring farmer must be the first to partake of the fruit.
2:7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel,
2:9 In which I suffer evil unto bonds as a criminal; but the word of God is not bound.
2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the chosen ones, that they themselves also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2:11 Faithful is the word: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us;
2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2:14 Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them before God not to have contentions of words, which is useful for nothing, to the ruin of those who hear.
2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of the truth.
2:16 But avoid profane, vain babblings, for they will advance to more ungodliness,
2:17 And their word will spread like gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2:18 Who concerning the truth have misaimed, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and overthrow the faith of some.
2:19 However the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
2:20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels but also wooden and earthen; and some are unto honor, and some unto dishonor.
2:21 If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work.
2:22 But flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2:23 But foolish questionings and those arising from an untrained mind refuse, knowing that they beget contentions.
2:24 But a slave of the Lord ought not to contend but be gentle toward all, apt to teach, bearing with wrong;
2:25 In meekness correcting those who oppose, if perhaps God may give them repentance unto the full knowledge of the truth,
2:26 And they may return to soberness out of the snare of the devil, having been caught alive by him, unto His will.