Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 2

Be Strong in Grace

¹ You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace^(a) that is in Christ Jesus. ² And what you have heard from me^(b) in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful^(c) men who will be able to teach others also.

³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.^{(d) 4} No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. ⁵ Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.^{(e) 7} Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead^(f) and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. ⁹ I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God's message is not bound. ¹⁰ This is why I endure^(g) all things for the elect:^(h) so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^{(i) 11} This saying is trustworthy:^(j)

An Approved Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, charging them before God^[a] not to fight about words;^(m) this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.^{(n) 16} But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.^{(o) 17} And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus^(p) and Philetus are among them. ¹⁸ They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,^(q) and are overturning the faith of some.^{(r) 19} Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:^(s)

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls,^(w) but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable^[c] use, some for dishonorable.^{[d](x) 21} So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,^[e] he will be a special^[f] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.^(y)

²² Flee^(z) from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,^(aa) along with those who call on the Lord^(ab) from a pure heart. ²³ But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord's^(ac) slave must not quarrel,^(ad) but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,^[g] and patient, ²⁵ instructing his opponents with gentleness.^(ae) Perhaps God will grant them repentance^(af) leading them to the knowledge of the truth. ²⁶ Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap,^(ag) having been captured by him to do his will.^(ah)

Chapter 3

Difficult Times Ahead

¹ But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.^{(a) 2} For people will be lovers of self,^(b) lovers of money,^(c) boastful, proud,^(d) blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,^{(e) 3} unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers,^(f) without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,^{(g) 4} traitors,^(h) reckless,⁽ⁱ⁾ conceited,^(j) lovers of pleasure^(k) rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.^(l) Avoid these people!^(m)

⁶ For among them are those who worm their way into households and capture idle women burdened down with sins, led along by a variety of passions,^{(n) 7} always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(o) 8} Just as Jannes and Jambres^(p) resisted Moses,^(q) so these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind,^(r) worthless^(s) in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs^[a] was also.

Struggles in the Christian Life

¹⁰ But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose,^(t) faith, patience, love,^(u) and endurance, ¹¹ along with the persecutions and sufferings^(v) that came to me in Antioch,^(w) Iconium,^(x) and Lystra.^(y) What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from them all. ¹² In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.^{(z) 13} Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving^(aa) and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,^{(ab) 15} and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures,^(ac) which are able to give you wisdom for salvation^(ad) through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God^[b](ae) and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.^(af)

Chapter 4

Fulfill Your Ministry

¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge^(a) the living and the dead,^(b) and because of His appearing and His kingdom:^{(c) 2} Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine,^(d) but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new.^{[a] 4} They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.^{(e) 5} But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,^(f) fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,^(g) and the time for my departure is close. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ There is reserved for me in the future the crown^(h) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,⁽ⁱ⁾ will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.^(j)

Final Instructions

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon,^{(k) 10} for Demas^(l) has deserted me,^(m) because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica.⁽ⁿ⁾ Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(o) Titus^(p) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(q) is with me. Bring Mark^(r) with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus^(s) to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas^(t) with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander^(u) the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ Watch out^(v) for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me.^(w) May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.^(x) To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Benediction

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila,^(y) and the household of Onesiphorus.^{(z) 20} Erastus^(aa) has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus^(ab) sick at Miletus.^{(ac) 21} Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.