¹Thou therefore, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also. ³Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵And if also any one contend in the games, he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully. ⁶The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits. ⁷Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ raised from among the dead, of the seed of David, according to my glad tidings, ⁹in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹The word is faithful; for if we have died together with him, we shall also live together; ¹²if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, he also will deny us; ¹³if we are unfaithful, he abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

¹⁴Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers. ¹⁵Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth. ¹⁶But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety, ¹⁷and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; ¹⁸men who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.

¹⁹Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity. ²⁰But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. ²¹If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, in separating himself from them, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.

²²But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions. ²⁴And a bondman of the Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing; ²⁵in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of the truth, ²⁶and that they may awake up out of the snare of the devil, who are taken by him, for his will.

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