Not Ashamed of the Gospel

8 iTherefore do not be ashamed of jthe testimony of our Lord, nor of me kHis prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, lnot according to our works, but maccording to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus nbefore time began, 10 but ohas now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 pto which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher 3of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, qfor I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Be Loyal to the Faith

13 rHold fast sthe pattern of tsound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the uhousehold of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord vgrant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord win that Day—and you know very well how many ways he xministered 4to me at Ephesus.

Be Strong in Grace

2 You therefore, amy son, bbe strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must cendure 1hardship das a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 eNo one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also fif anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and 2may the Lord ggive you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, hof the seed of David, iwas raised from the dead jaccording to my gospel, 9 kfor which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, leven to the point of chains; mbut the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore nI endure all things for the sake of the 3elect, othat they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For pif we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 qIf we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

rIf we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He scannot deny Himself.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

14 Remind them of these things, tcharging them before the Lord not to 4strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 uBe diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and 5idle babblings, for they will 6increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. vHymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, wsaying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless xthe solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord yknows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of 7Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 But in a great house there are not only zvessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, 8sanctified and useful for the Master, aprepared for every good work. 22 bFlee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And ca servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, dable to teach, epatient, 25 fin humility correcting those who are in opposition, gif God perhaps will grant them repentance, hso that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and iescape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that ain the last days 1perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, 2unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 btraitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 chaving a form of godliness but ddenying its power. And efrom such people turn away! 6 For fof this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able gto come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 hNow as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: imen of corrupt minds, jdisapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, kas theirs also was.