THOU
therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is 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.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ.
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.
5 And if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth
must be first partaker 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 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto
bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
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.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we
shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny
him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth
faithful: 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.
15 Study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will
increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the
resurrection is past already; and overthrow 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.
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.
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.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that
they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be
gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if
God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of 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.
