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¹ You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.³ You therefore must endure [fn] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.⁵ And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.⁷ Consider what I say, and may [fn] the Lord give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,⁹ for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹ This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. ¹² 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; He cannot deny Himself.

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

¹⁹ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ [fn] depart from iniquity." ²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.