English Standard Version ESV
New Living Translation NLT
1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
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Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
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You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
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Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
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And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
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And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
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Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
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Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
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And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
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This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him.
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
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If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.
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If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before Godnot to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
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Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
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Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
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Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.
18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
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They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
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But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
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In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
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If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
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Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
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Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
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A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
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Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
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Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.