1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what things thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of :life; so as to please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5 And if also one contend in games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. 6 The toiling husbandman must be first to partake of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of David’s seed, according to my :gospel: 9 wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as an evildoer; but the word of :God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 Faithful the saying: for if we died together, we shall also live together: 12 if we endure, we shall also reign together: if we shall deny him, he also shall deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things remind them, charging before :God not to strive about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. 15 Give diligence to present thyself approved to :God, a workman that needeth not to be shamed, rightly dividing the word of the truth. 16 But shun the profane babblings :for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17 and their word will †eat as a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philētus 18 who have deviated from the truth, saying that a resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Howbeit :God’s firm foundation standeth, having this :seal. The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. 20 Now in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21 If one therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work. 22 But flee the youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with all that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But the foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. 24 And the Lord’s bondman must not strive, but be gentle toward all, apt to teach, forbearing, 25 in meekness correcting the opposers; if haply :God give them repentance unto a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may sober up from the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto that one’s will.
