Be Strong in Grace
1 You therefore,my son,be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 You therefore mustendure hardshipas a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs ofthislife, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
5 And alsoif anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lordgive you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ,of the seed of David,was raised from the deadaccording to my gospel,
9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer,evento the point of chains;but the word of God is not chained.
10 ThereforeI endure all things for the sake of the elect,that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 Thisisa faithful saying:
# Forif we died withHim,
We shall also live withHim.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign withHim.
# If we denyHim,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
# Hecannot deny Himself.
Approved and Disapproved Workers
14 Remindthemof these things,chargingthembefore the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profaneandidle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer.Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
18 who have strayed concerning the truth,saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19 Neverthelessthe solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lordknows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not onlyvessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master,prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
24 Anda servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all,able to teach,patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition,if God perhaps will grant them repentance,so that they may know the truth,
26 andthatthey may come to their sensesandescape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him todohis will.