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¹ As for you, my son, strenuously acquit yourself of the charge you have receiv'd from Christ Jesus. ² and what you heard me deliver in the presence of many, intrust to such persons of integrity as are qualified to instruct others ³ bravely endure hardships, like a soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ he that enters into the service, disengages himself from civil affairs, that he may be acceptable to his officer. ⁵ a combatant does not receive the crown, unless he has observ'd the laws of the games. ⁶ the labourer must work before he can obtain his reward. ⁷ consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, who is of the posterity of David, is raised from the dead, according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer even the chains of a malefactor: but the word of God is not so confin'd. ¹⁰ I therefore bear with every thing for the sake of the converts, that they may obtain that salvation, which Jesus Christ has procur'd us, even eternal glory. ¹¹ it is an undoubted truth, that if we die for him, we shall live with him: ¹² if we suffer, we shall also reign: if we renounce him, ¹³ he will renounce us likewise: tho' we are diffident, he is still faithful, and will not retract his word.

¹⁴ These things represent, conjuring them by the presence of the Lord, to avoid disputes about words, which only serve to pervert the audience. ¹⁵ endeavour to approve yourself to God, as an artist that is not afraid of reproach, by rightly explaining the word of truth. ¹⁶ discountenance such as hold vain irreligious discourse; for they will grow bold in impiety, ¹⁷ and their doctrine will spread like the gangrene. Hymeneus and Philetus are such: ¹⁸ they have deserted the faith themselves, and debauch'd the faith of others, by maintaining, "the resurrection is already past."

¹⁹ however, the foundation of the divine architect is still immoveable, having this inscription, " the Lord discerns who are his." and, " let every one that invokes the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity." ²⁰ in a palace there are vessels not only of gold, and of silver, but of wood and of earth likewise: some are for honourable uses, and others for meaner purposes. ²¹ he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

²² Avoid the passions of youth. pursue justice, fidelity, benevolence and concord with all sincere christians. ²³ decline all impertinent barren disputes, since they only serve for contention. ²⁴ a christian must not be litigious, but easy to all men, qualify'd to instruct, ²⁵ with great temper and meekness informing those, who differ in opinion; because he does not know, but God may change their minds, by convincing them of the truth. ²⁶ and so they may rouze out of the snare of the devil, who leads them captive at his discretion.