King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
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and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
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No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
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It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
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Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
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Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel,
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
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for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
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The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
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if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
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if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
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Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
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Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
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and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
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who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
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But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness."
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
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In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
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All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
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Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
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And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
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correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth,
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.