1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2And the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, commit thou the same to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.
3Endure thou therefore hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4No man who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5And if also a man strive for masteries, yet he is not crowned unless he strive lawfully.
6The husbandman who laboreth must be the first partaker of the fruits.
7Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel,
9wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds. But the Word of God is not bound.
10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him;
12if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
14Of 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.
15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness,
17and their word will eat as doth a canker -- among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrowing the faith of some.
19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: "The Lord knoweth those who are His," and, "Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and prepared for every good work.
22Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they engender strifes.
24And the servant of the Lord must not engender strife, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25in meekness instructing those in opposition. Perhaps God will give them repentance, that they may acknowledge the truth,
26and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.