Dual Panel1So <3767> you <4771>, my <3450> child <5043>, be strong <1743> in <1722> the grace <5485> that is in <1722> Christ <5547> Jesus <2424>.
2And <2532> entrust <3908> what <3739> you heard <191> me <1700> say in the presence <1223> of many <4183> others as witnesses <3144> to faithful <4103> people <444> who <3748> will be <1510> competent <2425> to teach <1321> others <2087> as well.
3Take <4777> your share of suffering <4777> as <5613> a good <2570> soldier <4757> of Christ <5547> Jesus <2424>.
4No one <3762> in military service <4754> gets entangled <1707> in matters <4230> of everyday life <979>; otherwise <2443> he will <700> not please <700> the one who recruited <4758> him.
5Also <2532>, if <1437> anyone competes as an athlete <118>, he will <4737> not <3756> be crowned as the winner <4737> unless <1437> <3361> he competes <118> according to the rules <3545>.
6The farmer <1092> who works hard <2872> ought <1163> to have <3335> the first <4412> share <3335> of the crops <2590>.
7Think <3539> about what I am saying <3004> and the Lord <2962> will give <1325> you <4671> understanding <4907> of <1722> all this <3956>.
8Remember <3421> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, raised <1453> from <1537> the dead <3498>, a descendant <4690> of David <1138>; such <2596> is my <3450> gospel <2098>,
9for <1722> which <3739> I suffer hardship <2553> to the point <3360> of imprisonment <1199> as <5613> a criminal <2557>, but <235> God’s <2316> message <3056> is <1210> not <3756> imprisoned <1210>!
10So <1223> I endure <5278> all things <3956> for the sake of <1223> those chosen <1588> by God, that <2443> they <846> too <2532> may obtain <5177> salvation <4991> in <1722> Christ <5547> Jesus <2424> and its eternal <166> glory <1391>.
11This saying <3056> is trustworthy <4103>: If <1487> we died with <4880> him, we will <4800> also <2532> live <4800> with him.
12If <1487> we endure <5278>, we will <4821> also <2532> reign with <4821> him. If <1487> we deny <720> him, he <2548> will <720> also <2548> deny <720> us <2248>.
13If <1487> we are unfaithful <569>, he <1565> remains <3306> faithful <4103>, since <1063> he cannot <3756> <1410> deny <720> himself <1438>.
14Remind <5279> people of these things <5023> and solemnly charge <1263> them before <1799> the Lord <2316> not <3361> to wrangle over words <3054>. This is of <1909> no <3762> benefit <5539>; it just brings ruin <2692> on those who listen <191>.
15Make every effort <4704> to present <3936> yourself <4572> before God <2316> as a proven <1384> worker <2040> who does not need to be ashamed <422>, teaching <3718> the message <3056> of truth <225> accurately <3718>.
16But <1161> avoid <4026> profane <952> chatter <2757>, because <1063> those occupied with it will stray <4298> further and further <4119> into ungodliness <763>,
17and <2532> their <846> message <3056> will <2192> spread its infection <3542> like <5613> gangrene <1044>. Hymenaeus <5211> and <2532> Philetus <5372> are in this group <3739> <1510>.
18They have strayed <795> from <4012> the truth <225> by saying <3004> that the resurrection <386> has <1096> already <2235> occurred <1096>, and <2532> they are undermining <396> some people’s <5100> faith <4102>.
19However <3305>, God’s <2316> solid <4731> foundation <2310> remains standing <2476>, bearing <2192> this <3778> seal <4973>: “The Lord <2962> knows <1097> those who are <1510> his <846>,” and <2532> “Everyone <3956> who confesses <3687> the name <3686> of the Lord <2962> must turn away <868> from <575> evil <93>.”
20Now in <1722> a wealthy <3173> home <3614> there are <1510> not <3756> only <3440> gold <5552> and <2532> silver <693> vessels <4632>, but <235> also <2532> ones made of wood <3585> and <2532> of clay <3749>, and <2532> some are for <1519> honorable use <5092>, but <1161> others for <1519> ignoble use <819>.
21So <3767> if <1437> someone <5100> cleanses <1571> himself <1438> of <575> such behavior <5130>, he will be <1510> a vessel <4632> for <1519> honorable use <5092>, set apart <37>, useful <2173> for the Master <1203>, prepared <2090> for <1519> every <3956> good <18> work <2041>.
22But <1161> keep away <5343> from youthful <3512> passions <1939>, and <1161> pursue <1377> righteousness <1343>, faithfulness <4102>, love <26>, and peace <1515>, in company with <3326> others who call on <1941> the Lord <2962> from <1537> a pure <2513> heart <2588>.
23But <1161> reject <3868> foolish <3474> and <2532> ignorant <521> controversies <2214>, because <3754> you know <1492> they breed <1080> infighting <3163>.
24And <1161> the Lord’s <2962> slave <1401> must <1163> not <3756> engage in heated disputes <3164> but <235> be <1510> kind <2261> toward <4314> all <3956>, an apt teacher <1317>, patient <420>,
25correcting <3811> opponents <475> with <1722> gentleness <4240>. Perhaps <3379> God <2316> will grant <1325> them <846> repentance <3341> and then knowledge <1922> of the truth <225>
26and <2532> they will come to <366> their senses and escape <366> the devil’s <1228> trap <3803> where they <1565> are held captive <2221> to <5259> do his <846> will <2307>.