| 1 | And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus, |
| 2 | and 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. |
| 3 | Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4 | No 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. |
| 5 | Then, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfully. |
| 6 | The farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produce. |
| 7 | Understand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all things. |
| 8 | Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel. |
| 9 | I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound. |
| 10 | I 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. |
| 11 | It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him. |
| 12 | If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. |
| 13 | If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself. |
| 14 | Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners. |
| 15 | Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly. |
| 16 | But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety. |
| 17 | And their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18 | who have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain persons. |
| 19 | But 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. |
| 20 | But, 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. |
| 21 | If 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. |
| 22 | So 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. |
| 23 | But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife. |
| 24 | For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient, |
| 25 | correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth, |
| 26 | and then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will. |
