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Be Strong

¹ So you, my ^(C1)son, ^(C2)be strong constantly strengthened and empowered in the grace that is to be found only in ^(C3)Christ Jesus.² The things the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry ^(C1)which you have heard me teach ^(F1)in the presence of ^(C2)many witnesses, ^(C3)entrust as a treasure to ^(C4)reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and ^(C5)qualified to teach others.^3 (C1)Take with me your share of hardship passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure, like a good ^(C2)soldier of ^(C3)Christ Jesus.⁴ No soldier in active service ^(C1)gets entangled in the ordinary business affairs of civilian life; he avoids them so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve.⁵ And if anyone ^(C1)competes as an athlete in competitive games, he is not crowned with the wreath of victory unless he competes according to the rules.^6 (C1)The hard-working farmer who labors to produce crops ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.⁷ Think over the things I am saying grasp their application, for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ the ever-living Lord who has ^(C1)risen from the dead, as the prophesied King ^(C2)descended from David king of Israel, ^(C3)according to my gospel the good news that I preach, ^(VR1)9 for that gospel I am ^(C1)suffering even to the point of ^(C2)wearing chains like a ^(C3)criminal; but ^(C4)the word of God ^(C5)is not chained or imprisoned!¹⁰ For this reason ^(C1)I am ready to patiently endure all things for ^(C2)the sake of those who are the elect (God's chosen ones), ^(C3)so that they too may obtain the ^(C4)salvation which is in ^(C5)Christ Jesus and with it the reward of ^(C6)eternal glory.^11 (C1)This is a faithful and trustworthy saying:

^(C2)If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

¹² If we endure, ^(C1)we will also reign with Him;
If we ^(C2)deny Him, He will also deny us;

¹³ If we are faithless, ^(C1)He remains faithful true to His word and His righteous character, for ^(C2)He cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Workman

¹⁴ Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly ^(C1)charge them in the presence of God to avoid ^(C2)petty controversy over words, which does no good, and upsets and undermines and ruins the faith of those who listen.¹⁵ Study and do your best to ^(C1)present yourself to God approved, a workman tested by trial who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching ^(C2)the word of truth.¹⁶ But ^(C1)avoid all ^(C2)irreverent babble and godless chatter with its profane, empty words, for it will lead to further ungodliness,¹⁷ and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with ^(C1)Hymenaeus and Philetus,¹⁸ who have deviated from the truth. They claim that ^(C1)the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine ^(C2)the faith of some.¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(C1)firm foundation of God which He has laid stands sure and unshaken despite attacks, bearing this ^(C2)seal: "^(C3)The Lord knows those who are His," and, "^(C4)Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing." ^(VR1)

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only ^(F1)vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and ^(C1)some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common).²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^(C1)these things which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified set apart for a special purpose and, useful to the Master, ^(C2)prepared for every good work.^22 (C1)Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, ^(C2)faith, love, and peace with those believers who ^(C3)call on the Lord ^(C4)out of a pure heart.²³ But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant ^(C1)speculations useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies, since you know that they ^(C2)produce strife and give birth to quarrels.^24 (C1)The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be, ^(C2)skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged.²⁵ He must ^(C1)correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness ^(C2)in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to ^(C3)the knowledge of the truth accurately understanding and welcoming it,²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape from ^(C1)the trap of the devil, having been ^(C2)held captive by him to do his will.