2 Timothy, 2

1. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1. You, my son, be strong with the grace you have in Christ Jesus.

2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2. Entrust to reliable people everything you have learned from me in the presence of many witnesses, that they may instruct others.

3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

3. Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

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.

4. No soldier gets involved in civilian trade; the soldier's aim is to please his commanding officer.

5. And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

5. No athlete is crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

6. And again, the farmer who tills the land is the first to enjoy the fruits of the harvest.

7. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

7. Think over what I am telling you; the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

8. Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, Jesus, son of David, as preached in my Gospel.

9. Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

9. For this Gospel I labor and even wear chains like an evildoer, but the word of God is not chained.

10. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

10. And so I bear everything for the sake of the chosen people, that they, too, may obtain the salvation given to us in Christ Jesus and share eternal glory.

11. [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:

11. This statement is true:

12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

12. If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; If we deny him, he will also deny us;

13. If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

13. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.

14. Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.

14. Remind your people of these things and urge them in the presence of God not to fight over words, which does no good, but only ruins those who listen.

15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

15. Be for God an active and proved minister, a blameless worker correctly handling the word of truth.

16. But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

16. Do not take part in useless conversations, alien to the faith. This leads to a greater lack of faith.

17. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

17. Such teaching spreads like gangrene: I am thinking of Hymeneus and Philetus.

18. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

18. They strayed from the truth, holding that resurrection has already taken place; and with this they upset the faith of some.

19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

19. But the solid foundations laid by God are not shaken; on them it is written: The Lord knows those who are his, and: Let him who confesses the name of the Lord turn away from evil.

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 honour, and some to dishonour.

20. In a large house we find not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are reserved for special uses, others, for ordinary ones.

21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.

21. All who clean themselves of what I speak of, will become a noble vessel, useful to the Lord, prepared for any holy purpose.

22. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

22. So shun the passions of youth and seek righteousness, faith, love and peace, together with those who call upon the Lord with a pure heart.

23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

23. Avoid stupid and senseless discussions, since such are the cause of misunderstanding.

24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,

24. God's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to all, always teaching and patient with those who do not understand,

25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

25. gently correct opponents; perhaps God may grant them to repent and discover 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.

26. withdrawing them from the snare of the devil who held them captive to his own will.