2 Timothy 2:1-26 (New American Standard)

Be Strong

1 You therefore, my ^a1son, ²be strong in the grace that is in ³Christ Jesus. 2 The things ⁴which you have heard from me in the presence of ⁵many witnesses, ⁶entrust these to ⁷faithful men who will be ⁸able to teach others also. 3 ⁹Suffer hardship with me, as a good ¹⁰soldier of ¹¹Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service ¹²entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone ¹³competes as an athlete, he ^bdoes not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 ¹⁴The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, ¹⁵risen from the dead, ¹⁶descendant of David, ¹⁷according to my gospel, 9 ^cfor which I ¹⁸suffer hardship even to ¹⁹imprisonment as a ²⁰criminal ; but ²¹the word of God ²²is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason ²³I endure all things for ²⁴the sake of those who are chosen, ²⁵so that they also may obtain the ²⁶salvation which is in ²⁷Christ Jesus and with it ²⁸eternal glory. 11 ²⁹It is a trustworthy statement : For ³⁰if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, ³¹we will also reign with Him; If we ^d32deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, ³³He remains faithful, for ³⁴He cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Workman

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly ³⁵charge them in the presence of God not to ³⁶wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to ³⁷present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ³⁸the word of truth. 16 But ³⁹avoid ⁴⁰worldly and empty chatter, for ^eit will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their ^ftalk will spread like ^ggangrene. Among them are ⁴¹Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that ⁴²the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset ⁴³the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the ⁴⁴firm foundation of God stands, having this ⁴⁵seal, "⁴⁶The Lord knows those who are His," and, "⁴⁷Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and ⁴⁸some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ⁴⁹these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ⁵⁰prepared for every good work. 22 Now ⁵¹flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ⁵²faith, love and peace, with those who ⁵³call on the Lord ⁵⁴from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant ⁵⁵speculations, knowing that they ⁵⁶produce ^hquarrels. 24 ⁵⁷The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ⁵⁸able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 ⁵⁹with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ⁶⁰if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ⁶¹the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from ⁶²the snare of the devil, having been ⁶³held captive ⁱby him to do his will.