English Standard Version ESV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
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Thou therefore, my son, be strong 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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And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who shall be fit to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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Labour 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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No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses: that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
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For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
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The husbandman that laboureth must first partake of the fruits.
7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
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Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in all things understanding.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
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Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
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Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound.
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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Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
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A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also 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 suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.
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If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself.
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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Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words: for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
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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Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
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But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus 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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Who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.
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 the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.
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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But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour.
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 any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto 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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But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
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And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
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But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
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With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know 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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And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil by whom they are held captive at his will.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.