2 Timothy 2:14–26

An Approved Worker

¹⁴Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God’s presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. ¹⁵Do your best to win full approval in God’s sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God’s truth. ¹⁶Keep away from profane and foolish discussions, which only drive people further away from God. ¹⁷Such teaching is like an open sore that eats away the flesh. Two men who have taught such things are Hymenaeus and Philetus. ¹⁸They have left the way of truth and are upsetting the faith of some believers by saying that our resurrection has already taken place. ^19*But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: “The Lord knows those who are his” and “All who say that they belong to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing.”

²⁰In a large house there are dishes and bowls of all kinds: some are made of silver and gold, others of wood and clay; some are for special occasions, others for ordinary use. ²¹If anyone makes himself or herself clean from all those evil things, they will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed. ²²Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. ²³But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. ²⁴As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind towards all, a good and patient teacher, ²⁵gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. ²⁶And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.