2:1 | You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
2:2 | And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. |
2:3 | Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
2:4 | No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. |
2:5 | Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. |
2:6 | The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. |
2:7 | Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. |
2:8 | Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, |
2:9 | for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. |
2:10 | Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. |
2:11 | Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; |
2:12 | if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; |
2:13 | if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. |
2:14 | Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. |
2:15 | Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. |
2:16 | Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. |
2:17 | Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
2:18 | who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. |
2:19 | Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." |
2:20 | In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. |
2:21 | If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. |
2:22 | Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
2:23 | Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. |
2:24 | And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. |
2:25 | Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, |
2:26 | and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. |
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