1 | Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
2 | And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. |
3 | Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. |
4 | No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. |
5 | And if a man also striveth for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he striveth lawfully. |
6 | The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. |
7 | Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. |
8 | Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: |
9 | In which I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, even to bonds; but the word of God is not bound. |
10 | Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. |
11 | It is a faithful saying: For if we are dead with him, we shall also live with him: |
12 | If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: |
13 | If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. |
14 | Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. |
15 | Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. |
16 | But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness. |
17 | And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; |
18 | Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. |
19 | Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. |
20 | But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. |
21 | If a man therefore will cleanse himself from these, he will be a vessel to honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, and prepared to every good work. |
22 | Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
23 | But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions. |
24 | And the servant of the Lord must not contend; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, |
25 | In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: |
26 | And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. |