| Holman Christian Standard (CSB) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. |
| 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4 To please the recruiter, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life. | 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. |
| 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. | 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6 It is the hardworking farmer who ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. | 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. |
| 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. | 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. |
| 8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, according to my gospel. | 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, |
| 9 For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal; but God's message is not bound. | 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. |
| 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. | 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. |
| 11 This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; | 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; |
| 12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; | 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; |
| 13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. | 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. |
| 14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. | 14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. |
| 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. | 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. |
| 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. | 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. |
| 17 And their word will spread like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus. | 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18 They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning the faith of some. | 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. |
| 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness. | 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." |
| 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and earthenware, some for special use, some for ordinary. | 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. |
| 21 So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. | 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. |
| 22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. | 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. | 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. |
| 24 The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, | 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. |
| 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. | 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, |
| 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will. | 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Holman Christian Standard Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |