2 Timothy 2
1 My son, be strong in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus.2 You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to men you can trust the things you've heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also.3 Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, share in the hard times with us.
4 A soldier does not take part in things that don't have anything to do with the army. He wants to please his commanding officer.5 In the same way, anyone who takes part in a sport doesn't receive the winner's crown unless he plays by the rules.6 The farmer who works hard should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
7 Think about what I'm saying. The Lord will help you understand what all of it means.
8 Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David's family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news.9 I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God's word is not held back by chains.
10 So I put up with everything for the good of God's chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever.
11 Here is a saying you can trust.
If we died with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we don't give up,
we will also rule with him.
If we say we don't know him,
he will also say he doesn't know us.
13 Even if we are not faithful,
he will remain faithful.
He must be true to himself.
A Worker Who Pleases God
14 Keep reminding the believers of those things. While God is watching, warn them not to argue about words. That doesn't have any value. It only destroys those who listen.
15 Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly.
16 Stay away from godless chatter. Those who take part in it will become more and more ungodly.17 Their teaching will spread like a deadly sickness.
Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of those teachers.18 They have wandered away from the truth. They say that the time when people will rise from the dead has already come. They destroy the faith of some people.
19 But God's solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. "The Lord knows who his own people are." (Numbers 16:5) Also, "All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil."
20 In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have honorable purposes. Others do not.21 Suppose someone stays away from what is not honorable. Then the Master will be able to use him for honorable purposes. He will be made holy. He will be ready to do any good work.
22 Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.23 Don't have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights.
24 Anyone who serves the Lord must not fight. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must not hold anything against anyone.25 He must gently teach those who oppose him.
Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth.26 Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil's trap. He has taken them prisoner to do what he wanted.
2 Timothy 2
1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.6 The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.7 Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:9 wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,17 and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;18 men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.22 after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.24 And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.