2 Timothy 2

1You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

3Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, since he wants to please the one who enlisted him.

5Likewise, an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive a share of the crops.

7Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David, as proclaimed in my gospel,

9for which I am suffering, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.

10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

14Keep reminding them of these things, and solemnly charge them before God not to quarrel about words. It does no good and only ruins those who listen.

15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, who handles the word of truth correctly.

16But avoid godless chatter, for those who indulge in it will go further and further into ungodliness,

17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18who have gone astray from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some.

19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

20In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use.

21So if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged,

25correcting his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

26and they will come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.