提摩太后书 2

基督耶稣的精兵

1 我儿啊，你要在基督耶稣的恩典上刚强起来。2 你在许多见证人面前听见我所教训的，也要交托那忠心能教导别人的人。3 你要和 我同受苦难，好像基督耶稣的精兵。4 凡在军中当兵的，不将世务缠身，好叫那招他当兵的人喜悦。5 人若在场上比武，非按规矩，就不能得冠冕。6 劳力的农夫理当先得粮食。

7 我所说的话，你要思想，因为凡事主必给你聪明。
8 你要记念耶稣基督乃是 大卫的后裔，他从死里复活，正合乎我所传的福音。9 我为这福音受苦难，甚至被捆绑，像犯人一样。然而上帝的道却不被捆绑。10 所以，我为选民凡事忍耐，叫他们也可以得着那在基督耶稣里的救恩和永远的荣耀。11 有可信的话说：
我们若与基督同死，也必与他同活；12 我们若 能忍耐，也必和他一同作王。
我们若不认他，他也必不认我们；

13 我们纵然失信，他仍是可信的，
因为他不能背乎自己。

无愧的工人

14 你要使众人回想这些事，在主面前嘱咐他们：不可为言语争辩；这是没有益处的，只能败坏听见的人。15 你当竭力在上帝面前得蒙喜悦，作无愧的工人，按着正意分解真理的道。16 但要远避世俗的虚谈，因为这等人必进到更不敬虔的地步。17 他们的话如同毒疮，越烂越大；其中有 许米乃和 腓理徒，18 他们偏离了真道，说复活的事已过，就败坏好些人的信心。19 然而，上帝坚固的根基立住了；上面有这印记说：「主认识谁是他的人」；又说：「凡称呼主名的人总要离开不义。」20 在大户人家，不但有金器银器，也有木器瓦器；有作为贵重的，有作为卑贱的。21 人若自洁，脱离卑贱的事，就必作贵重的器皿，成为圣洁，合乎主用，预备行各样的善事。22 你要逃避少年的私欲，同那清心祷告主的人追求公义、信德、仁爱、和平。23 惟有那愚拙无学问的辩论，总要弃绝，因为知道这等事是起争竞的。24 然而主的仆人不可争竞，只要温温和和地待众人，善于教导，存心忍耐，25 用温柔劝戒那抵挡的人；或者上帝给他们悔改的心，可以明白真道，26 叫他们这已经被魔鬼任意掳去的，可以醒悟，脱离他的网罗。

2 Timothy 2

Serving Faithfully Despite Hardship

1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And entrust what you heard me sayt in the presence of many others as witnessest to faithful peoplet who will be competentt to teach others as well.3 Take your share of sufferingt as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not pleaset the one who recruited him.5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winnert unless he competes according to the rules.s6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.

7 Think about what I am saying andt the Lord will give you understanding of all this.t
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David;t such is my gospel,t9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonmentt as a criminal, but God’s messaget is not imprisoned!t10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God,t that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.t

11 This sayings is trustworthy:s
If we died with him, we will also live with him.

12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.t
If we denyt him,t he will also deny us.

13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.s

Dealing with False Teachers

14 Remind peoplet of these things and solemnly charge themt before the Lords not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.t15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.s16 But avoid profane chatter,s because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,t17 and their message will spread its infectiont like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.t18 They have strayed from the trutht by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith.

19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”s and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lordt must turn away from evil.”
20 Now in a wealthy homet there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.t21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior,t he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.22 But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with otherst who call on the Lord from a pure heart.s23 But reject foolish and ignorantt controversies, because you know they breed infighting.t24 And the Lord’s slavets must not engage in heated disputest but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,25 correctings opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the trutht

26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captivet to do his will.t