¹ Do you, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;

² and the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses, these do you commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

³ Do you, therefore, suffer evil, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

⁴ Every one that serves as a soldier keeps himself free from the business of this life, that he may please him that has chosen him to be a soldier.

⁵ And if any one also contend in the public games, he is not crowned, unless he contend according to the laws.

⁶ It is necessary that, the farmer should labor, before he partakes of the fruits.

⁷ Consider what I say, for I pray that the Lord may give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, of the posterity of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel;

⁹ in which I suffer evil, as an evil-doer, even to bonds: but the word of God is not bound.

¹⁰ For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

¹¹ Assuredly true is the saying: If indeed we have died with him, we shall also live with him;

¹² if we are patient, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;

¹³ if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he can not deny himself.

¹⁴ Put them in mind of these things, charging them before the Lord that they dispute not about words to no profit, which disputes end in the overthrow of the hearers.

¹⁵ Strive to present yourself to God as approved, a workman that has no cause to be ashamed, rightly setting forth the word of truth.

¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will make further advance to ungodliness,

¹⁷ and their word will eat as a gangrene: of whom are Hymenæus and Philetus,

¹⁸ who, as it respects the truth, have erred, saying that the resurrection has already taken place; and they overthrow the faith of some.

¹⁹ But the foundation of God stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his; and, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

²⁰ In a great house, however, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some for honor, and some for dishonor.

²¹ If, therefore, any one will cleanse himself from these strifes about words, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, highly useful to the master, prepared for every good work.

²² Shun youthful desires, and follow righteousness, faithfulness, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

²³ But avoid foolish and unprofitable questions, because you know that they produce contentions:

²⁴ and the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but gentle toward all men, able to teach, patient under evils,

²⁵ in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if, possibly, God may give them repentance in order to the acknowledgment of the truth,

²⁶ and that they may awake to sobriety out of the snare of the devil, after having been taken captive by him according to his will.