2 Timothy 2

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Do you then, my son, strengthen you heart in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

The teachings which you have heard from me, attested by many witnesses, deliver into the keeping of faithful men, who in their turn will be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Take your share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

A soldier in active service avoids entangling himself in the every- day affairs of life, so that he may please his commander.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

And again, an athlete is not crowned unless he obeys the rules of the game.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

The farmer who has done the work should be the first to get a share of the crop.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Reflect on what I am telling you. The Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, has been raised from the dead according to the gospel I proclaim.

9 Where in I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

For preaching it I am suffering, and am even put in chains as a malefacter. But God’s message is no prisoner.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)

That is why I endure everything for the sake of the chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (aiōnios g166)

11 [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:

Faithful is the saying. "If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

If we endure suffering, we shall also reign with him. If we disown him, he too will disown us.

13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he can not deny himself.

If we prove faithless. he abides faithful, for he cannot be false to himself."

14 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.

Always call these truths to men’s mind; adjuring them in the presence of God to avoid controversy. It is a useless thing, and subverts those who listen to it.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Strive earnestly to present yourself unto God, tested and proved worthy by trial, a workman unashamed, ever cutting a straight path for the message of the truth.

16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

but avoid profane babble; for people will go farther and farther in impiety,

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

and their teaching will spread like a gangrene.

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Among such are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have gone astray concerning the truth by declaring that the resurrection is already past; and they are undermining the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Nevertheless God’s firm foundation stands unshaken, bearing this inscription, THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS, and this also, LET EVERY ONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF THE LORD RENOUNCE WICKEDNESS.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for noble, some for ignoble uses.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.

If then a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he will be a vessel for honor, consecrated, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee from the passions of youth, but run after righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who out of a pure heart call upon the Lord.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Ever shun foolish and puerile discussions, for you know that they lead to quarrels.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,

The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be kind to all men; a skilful teacher, patient of wrong.

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

He must be gentle when instructing opponents; for possibly God may give them a change of mind for the recognition of the truth,

26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

and they may come to their senses again, and escape the snare of the devil, as they are restored to life by God to do his will.