New International Version NIV
Weymouth New Testament WNT
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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You then, my child, must 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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All that you have been taught by me in the hearing of many witnesses, you must hand on to trusty men who shall themselves, in turn, be competent to instruct others also.
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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As a good soldier of Christ Jesus accept your share of suffering.
4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
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Every one who serves as a soldier keeps himself from becoming entangled in the world's business--so that he may satisfy the officer 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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And if any one takes part in an athletic contest, he gets no prize unless he obeys the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
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The harvestman who labours in the field must be the first to get a share of the crop.
7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
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Mark well what I am saying: the Lord will give you discernment in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
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Never forget that Jesus Christ has risen from among the dead and is a descendant of David, as is declared in the Good News which I preach.
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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For preaching the Good News I suffer, and am even put in chains, as if I were a criminal: yet the word of God is not imprisoned.
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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For this reason I endure all things for the sake of God's own people; so that they also may obtain salvation--even the salvation which is in Christ Jesus--and with it eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
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Faithful is the saying: "If we 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 patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
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"And even if *our* faith fails, He remains true--He cannot prove false to 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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Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of 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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Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame.
16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
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But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety,
17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men of that stamp.
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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In the matter of the truth they have gone astray, saying that the Resurrection is already past, and so they are overthrowing 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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Yet God's solid foundation stands unmoved, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who really belong to Him." And this also, "Let every one who names the Name of the Lord renounce all wickedness."
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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Now in a great house there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also others of wood and of earthenware; and some are for specially honourable, and others for common use.
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 therefore a man keeps himself clear of these latter, he himself will be for specially honourable use, consecrated, fit for the Master's service, and fully equipped for every 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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Keep a strong curb, however, on your youthful cravings; and strive for integrity, good faith, love, peace, in company with all who pray to the Lord with pure hearts.
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
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But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to 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 a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under wrongs.
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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He must speak in a gentle tone when correcting the errors of opponents, in the hope that God will at last give them repentance, for them to come to a full knowledge of 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 recover sober-mindedness and freedom from the Devil's snare, though they are now entrapped 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.
The Weymouth New Testament is in the public domain.