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¹ Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.² And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.³ Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.⁴ No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.⁵ And if a man also striveth for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he striveth lawfully.⁶ The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.⁷ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:⁹ In which I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, [even] to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.¹¹ [It is] a faithful saying: For if we are dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:¹³ If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

¹⁴ Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.¹⁵ Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.¹⁷ And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus;¹⁸ Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

¹⁹ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.²⁰ But 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 dishonor.²¹ If a man therefore will cleanse himself from these, he will be a vessel to honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared to every good work.

²² Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions.²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not contend; but be gentle to all [men], apt to teach, patient,²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth:²⁶ And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.