BE STRONG IN GRACE

2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the graceal that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from meam in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithfulan menD who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.ao 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.ap 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the deadaq and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endurear all things for the elect:as so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.at 11 This saying is trustworthy:au

For if we died with him,av

we will also live with him;

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

if we deny him, he will also deny us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself.

AN APPROVED WORKER

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before GodA not to fight about words.a This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.b 16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,c 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeusd and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,e and are ruining the faith of some.f 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:g The Lord knows those who are his,B,h and let everyone who calls on the namei ofC the Lord turn away from wickedness.j

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,k but also those of wood and clay; some for honorableD use and some for dishonorable.E,l 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,F he will be a specialG instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.m

22 Fleen from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,o along with those who call on the Lordp from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’sq servant must not quarrel,r but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,H and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness.s Perhaps God will grant them repentancet leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil,u who has taken them captive to do his will.v