1 You, then, my son, be made strong by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 What you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, hand on to trustworthy men who will be competent to teach others too.
3 So take your share of hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No soldier on active duty gets tangled up in the business of everyday life, because he wants to please the one who enlisted him.
5 Likewise an athlete is not awarded the crown unless he competes by the rules.
6 It is the farmer who does the hard work who ought to have the first share of the harvest.
7 Ponder what I am telling you, and may the Lord grant you discernment in every matter.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of David's seed, has been raised from the dead, as my gospel declares,
9 and for it I endure hardship, even to chains, as though I were a wrongdoer; yet the word of God has not been bound.
10 For that reason I put up with all things for the chosen ones' sake, so that they also may gain the salvation in Christ Jesus, along with everlasting glory.
11 The saying is reliable: if we have died together with him, we will also live together with him;
12 if we hold out, we will also reign together with him; if we deny him, that one will also deny us;
13 if we are unbelieving, he remains faithful—he cannot deny himself.
14 Bring these things to their remembrance, and charge them earnestly before the Lord not to wage wars of words, which profit nothing and only overturn those who hear.
15 Make every effort to stand before God as one tested and approved, a workman not put to shame, cutting straight the word of truth.
16 Shun profane and empty babble, for it will lead people on into further ungodliness,
17 and their word will eat away like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them;
18 they have gone astray from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened, and they are upsetting the faith of some.
19 Yet the firm foundation God laid remains standing, with this seal on it: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ stand away from unrighteousness."
20 In a great house you find vessels not only of gold and silver but of wood and clay as well, some meant for honor, some for dishonor.
21 So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, serviceable to the master, ready for any good work.
22 Get away from youthful passions; go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, in company with those who call upon the Lord with a pure heart.
23 Decline foolish, ill-informed debates, knowing that they produce fighting.
24 A servant of the Lord ought not to be a fighter, but gentle toward all, apt at teaching, patient under wrong,
25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance so that they come to know the truth,
26 and they may sober up and get free from the devil's snare, having been caught alive by him to do his will.