II Timothy 2

¹And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus,

²and by the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses. These things encourage faithful men, who shall then be suitable to teach others also.

³Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

⁴No man, acting as a soldier for God, entangles himself in worldly matters, so that he may be pleasing to him for whom he has proven himself.

⁵Then, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfully.

⁶The farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produce.

⁷Understand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

⁸Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel.

⁹I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound.

¹⁰I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.

¹¹It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him.

¹²If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

¹³If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself.

¹⁴Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners.

¹⁵Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly.

¹⁶But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety.

¹⁷And their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

¹⁸who have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain persons.

¹⁹But the firm foundation of God remains standing, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his own, and all who know the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.

²⁰But, in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also those of wood and of clay; and certainly some are held in honor, but others in dishonor.

²¹If anyone, then, will have cleansed himself from these things, he shall be a vessel held in honor, sanctified and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good work.

²²So then, flee from the desires of your youth, yet truly, pursue justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

²³But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife.

²⁴For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient,

²⁵correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth,

²⁶and then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will.

II Timothy 2

¹Thou therefore, my son, be strong in Christ Jesus:

²And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who shall be fit to teach others also.

³Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

⁴No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses: that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself.

⁵For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

⁶The husbandman that laboureth must first partake of the fruits.

⁷Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in all things understanding.

⁸Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

⁹Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound.

¹⁰Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.

¹¹A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him.

¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

¹³If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself.

¹⁴Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words: for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

¹⁵Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

¹⁶But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.

¹⁷And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:

¹⁸Who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.

¹⁹But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.

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

²¹If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work.

²²But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

²³And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.

²⁴But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient,

²⁵With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth;

²⁶And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil by whom they are held captive at his will.