New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 You then, 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 you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
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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 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
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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 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
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An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
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It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
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Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
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Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel,
9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
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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 everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that 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 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will 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 endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown 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 are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
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if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
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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 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles 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 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
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Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are 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 have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy 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, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
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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 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
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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 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any 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 the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who 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 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
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Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
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And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing,
25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge 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 will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do 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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.