2 Timothy 2:1–13

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

²You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ²and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.^{* 3}Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. ⁵And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.^{* 6}It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. ⁷Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.^{* 10}Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^{* 11}The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he will also deny us;^*

¹³if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

he^f cannot deny himself.^*