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¹ You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.² And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.³ Suffer hardship with [me], as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.⁴ No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.⁵ And if also a man contends in the games, he is not crowned, except he has contended lawfully.⁶ The husbandmen that labors must be the first to partake of the fruits.⁷ Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:⁹ wherein I suffer hardship to bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.¹¹ Faithful is the 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 shall deny him, he also will deny us:¹³ if we are faithless, he abides faithful; for he can't deny himself.

¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging [them] in the sight of God, that they are not to strive about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those that hear.¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed worker, correctly handling the word of truth.¹⁶ But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,¹⁷ and their word will eat as does a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;¹⁸ men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

¹⁹ Nevertheless the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those that are his: and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.²⁰ Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to shame.²¹ If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared to every good work.

²² But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.²³ But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.²⁴ And the Lord's slave must not strive, but be gentle toward all, apt to teach, forbearing,²⁵ in meekness correcting those that oppose themselves; if perhaps God may give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth,²⁶ and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to his will.