2 Timothy 2

¹You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that [is] in Christ Jesus.

²And the things that you have heard me [say] among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

³Join me in suffering, like [a] good soldier of Christ Jesus.

⁴A soldier refrains from entangling himself in [civilian] affairs, in order to please the [one who] enlisted him.

⁵Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.

⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.

⁷Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from [the] dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,

⁹for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!

¹⁰For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain [the] salvation that [is] in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

¹¹[This is a] trustworthy saying: If we died [with Him], we will also live [with Him];

¹²if we endure, we will also reign [with Him]; if we deny [Him], He will also deny us;

¹³if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

¹⁴Remind [ the believers ] of these things, charging [them] before God to avoid quarreling over words, [which] succeeds only in {leading} the listeners to ruin.

¹⁵Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, [an] unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

¹⁶But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, [which] will [only] lead to more ungodliness,

¹⁷and the talk of [such men] will spread like gangrene. Among [them] are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

¹⁸who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

¹⁹Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “[The] Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

²⁰A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed [are] for honorable [use], but others [are] for common [use].

²¹So if anyone cleanses himself of [what is unfit], he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, [and] prepared for every good work.

²²Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, [and] peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

²³But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

²⁴And a servant of [the] Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, [and] forbearing.

²⁵[He must] gently reprove those who oppose [him], in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of [the] truth.

²⁶Then they will come to their senses [and escape] the snare of the devil, [who] has taken them captive to his will.