THOU therefore, my son, be mighty in the grace which is in Jesus
Christ. (2)And the things which thou hast heard of me before many
witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who shall be qualified to
teach others also. (3)Thou therefore endure hardships, as a brave
soldier of Jesus Christ. (4)No man who enters the army involves himself
with secular affairs; that he may please the person who hath enlisted
him. (5)And if a man contend in the public games, he is not crowned
victor, unless he contend according to the laws. (6)The husbandman who
toils is the first who ought to partake 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)for which I suffer affliction, even
unto chains as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
(10)Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they
also may obtain the salvation which is in Jesus Christ with eternal
glory.
(11)It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also
live with him: (12)if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him:
if we renounce him, he also will renounce us: (13)if we are
unbelieving, he abideth faithful; he cannot contradict himself. (14)Put
them in mind of these things, adjuring them before the Lord not to
quarrel about words of no use, but tending to the perversion of the
audience.
(15)Be diligent to present thyself before God approved, a workman that
need not blush, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16)But profane
vain bablings avoid: for they will proceed to greater lengths of
impiety. (17)And their discourse will eat like as a gangrene; of whom
are Hymeneus and Philetus; (18)who with respect to the truth have
erred, saying that the resurrection hath been already; and pervert the
faith of some. (19)Nevertheless the stable foundation of God standeth
firm, having this seal, the Lord knoweth those who belong to him. And,
let every man who mentions the name of the Lord depart from
unrighteousness.
(20)But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and pottery; and some for an honourable use, and
others for baser service. (21)If therefore a man preserve himself pure
from these things, he shall be a vessel for honour, sanctified and
highly useful to the master, ready for every good work.
(22)But flee youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love,
peace, with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. (23)But
foolish and uninstructive disputes avoid, knowing that they produce
quarrels. (24)And a servant of the Lord ought not to quarrel; but to be
gentle to all men, apt to teach, forbearing, (25)with meekness
correcting those who are opposers, if at last God may give unto them
repentance so as to submit to the conviction of the truth; (26)and that
they may escape out of the snare of the devil, who have been captured
by him for his will.