2 Timothy

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 神的道却不被捆绑。

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 神面前得蒙喜悦，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， 神坚固的根基立住了；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 神给他们悔改的心，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。

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.