Common English Bible CEB
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 So, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
1
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2 Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others.
2
and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Accept your share of suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
3
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 Nobody who serves in the military gets tied up with civilian matters, so that they can please the one who recruited them.
4
No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.
5 Also in the same way, athletes don't win unless they follow the rules.
5
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 A hardworking farmer should get the first share of the crop.
6
It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
7 Think about what I'm saying; the Lord will give you understanding about everything.
7
Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David. This is my good news.
8
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel,
9 This is the reason I'm suffering to the point that I'm in prison like a common criminal. But God's word cannot be imprisoned.
9
the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered.
10 This is why I endure everything for the sake of those who are chosen by God so that they too may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
10
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.
11 This saying is reliable: "If we have died together, we will also live together.
11
The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
12 If we endure, we will also rule together. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
12
if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 If we are disloyal, he stays faithful" because he can't be anything else than what he is.
13
if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of these things and warn them in the sight of God not to engage in battles over words that aren't helpful and only destroy those who hear them.
14
Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
15 Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn't need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly.
15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
16 Avoid their godless discussions, because they will lead many people into ungodly behavior,
16
Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
17 and their ideas will spread like an infection. This includes Hymenaeus and Philetus,
17
and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. Among them are Hymenae'us and Phile'tus,
18 who have deviated from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened. This has undermined some people's faith.
18
who have swerved from the truth by holding that the resurrection is past already. They are upsetting the faith of some.
19 God's solid foundation is still standing with this sign: The Lord knows the people who belong to him, and Everyone who confesses the Lord's name must avoid wickedness.
19
But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
20 In a mansion, there aren't just gold and silver bowls but also some bowls that are made of wood and clay. Some are meant for special uses, some for garbage.
20
In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble.
21 So if anyone washes filth off themselves, they will be set apart as a "special bowl." They will be useful to the owner of the mansion for every sort of good work.
21
If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work.
22 Run away from adolescent cravings. Instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace together with those who confess the Lord with a clean heart.
22
So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.
23 Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions, since you know that they produce conflicts.
23
Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24 God's slave shouldn't be argumentative but should be kind toward all people, able to teach, patient,
24
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing,
25 and should correct opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will change their mind and give them a knowledge of the truth.
25
correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth,
26 They may come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap that holds them captive to do his will.
26
and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
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.