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¹ Thou therefore, my son, be strong through the grace which is by Jesus Christ.² And the things which thou hast heard from me before many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.³ Thou therefore endure affliction, is a good soldier of Jesus Christ.⁴ No man that warreth intangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath inlisted him.⁵ And if a man strive, he is not crowned, unless he strive lawfully.⁶ The husbandman, that laboureth first, must be partaker of the fruits.⁷ Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

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

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord, not to strive about words, to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.¹⁵ Be diligent to present thyself unto God approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.¹⁶ But avoid profane empty babblings; for they will increase to more ungodliness.¹⁷ And their word will eat as a gangrene; of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus,¹⁸ Who have erred from the faith, saying, The resurrection is already past, and overthrow the faith of some.

¹⁹ But the foundation of God standeth fast, having this seal, The Lord knoweth those that are his: and, Let every one who nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of stone; and some to honour, some to dishonour.²¹ If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, consecrated and fit for the master's use, prepared for every good work.

²² Flee also youthful desires; but follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace with them that call upon the Lord, out of a pure heart.²³ But avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strife:²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle toward all men,²⁵ apt to teach, patient of evil, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if haply God may give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth;²⁶ And they may awake out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.