2 Timothy

1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

6The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops.

7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspringof David, according to my Good News,

9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.

10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11This saying is trustworthy:“For 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 also will deny us.

13If we are faithless,he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.”

14Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord that they don’t argue about words to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

16But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

17and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus:

18men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

19However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lorddepart from unrighteousness.”

20Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor.

21If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,

25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

26and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Grace and Perseverance

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.

11This 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.

The Lord’s Approved Workman

14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before Godto 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.

25He 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.