2 Timothy 2:1-6

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2 and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.