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Be Strong

¹ You therefore, my ^(F1)(C1)son, ^(C2)be strong in the grace that is in ^(C3)Christ Jesus.² The things ^(C1)which you have heard from me in the presence of ^(C2)many witnesses, ^(C3)entrust these to ^(C4)faithful men who will be ^(C5)able to teach others also.^3 (C1)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(C2)soldier of ^(C3)Christ Jesus.⁴ No soldier in active service ^(C1)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.⁵ Also if anyone ^(C1)competes as an athlete, he ^(F1)does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.^6 (C1)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(C1)risen from the dead, ^(C2)descendant of David, ^(C3)according to my gospel,^9 (F1)for which I ^(C1)suffer hardship even to ^(C2)imprisonment as a ^(C3)criminal; but ^(C4)the word of God ^(C5)is not imprisoned.¹⁰ For this reason ^(C1)I endure all things for ^(C2)the sake of those who are chosen, ^(C3)so that they also may obtain the ^(C4)salvation which is in ^(C5)Christ Jesus and with it ^(C6)eternal glory.^11 (C1)It is a trustworthy statement:

For ^(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 ^(F1)(C2)deny Him, He also will deny us;

¹³ If we are faithless, ^(C1)He remains faithful, for ^(C2)He cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Workman

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(C1)charge them in the presence of God not to ^(C2)wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(C1)present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(C2)the word of truth.¹⁶ But ^(C1)avoid ^(C2)worldly and empty chatter, for ^(F1)it will lead to further ungodliness,¹⁷ and their ^(F1)talk will spread like ^(F2)gangrene. Among them are ^(C1)Hymenaeus and Philetus,¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth saying that ^(C1)the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset ^(C2)the faith of some.¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(C1)firm foundation of God stands, having this ^(C2)seal, "^(C3)The Lord knows those who are His," and, "^(C4)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and ^(C1)some to honor and some to dishonor.²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^(C1)these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ^(C2)prepared for every good work.²² Now ^(C1)flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ^(C2)faith, love and peace, with those who ^(C3)call on the Lord ^(C4)from a pure heart.²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant ^(C1)speculations, knowing that they ^(C2)produce ^(F1)quarrels.^24 (C1)The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ^(C2)able to teach, patient when wronged,^25 (C1)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ^(C2)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ^(C3)the knowledge of the truth,²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(C1)the snare of the devil, having been ^(C2)held captive ^(F1)by him to do his will.