King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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You then, my son, 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 before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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Share in suffering as 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 soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
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It is the hard-working farmer 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 grant you understanding in everything.
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, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in 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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the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered.
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, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its 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 shall 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 shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will 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 charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
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, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
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Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
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and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. Among them are Hymenae'us and Phile'tus,
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 holding that the resurrection is past already. 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 seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
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 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 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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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 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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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 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
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Have nothing to do with stupid, 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 every one, an apt teacher, forbearing,
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 his 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 they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
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.