| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1As for you, my child, be strong by the grace that is in the Messiah Jesus. |
| 2And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | 2What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. |
| 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3Join me in suffering like a good soldier of the Messiah Jesus. |
| 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. | 4No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding officer. |
| 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. | 5Moreover, no one who is an athlete wins a prize unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. | 6Furthermore, it is the hard working farmer who should have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. | 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you to understand all these things. |
| 8Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. | 8Meditate on Jesus, the Messiah, who was raised from the dead and is a descendant of David. This is the gospel I tell others. |
| 9I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God's message is not bound. | 9Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God's word is not chained. |
| 10This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. | 10For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive the salvation that is in the Messiah Jesus, along with eternal glory. |
| 11This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; | 11This saying is trustworthy: In dying with the Messiah, true life we gain. |
| 12if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; | 12Enduring, we with him will reign. Who him denies, he will disclaim. |
| 13if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. | 13Our faith may fail, his never wanes— That's who he is, he cannot change! |
| 14Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. | 14Remind others about these things, and warn them before God not to argue over words. Arguing does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening. |
| 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. | 15Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision. |
| 16But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. | 16However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly, |
| 17And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. | 17and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. |
| 18They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning the faith of some. | 18They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others. |
| 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness. | 19However, God's solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: "The Lord knows those who belong to him," and "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from evil." |
| 20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. | 20In a large house there are not only utensils made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, while others are for ordinary use. |
| 21So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. | 21Therefore, if anyone stops associating with these people, he will become a special utensil, set apart for the owner's use, prepared for every good action. |
| 22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. | 22Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. |
| 23But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. | 23Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. |
| 24The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, | 24A servant of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable, willing to suffer wrong, |
| 25instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. | 25and gentle when refuting opponents. After all, maybe God will allow them to repent and to come to a full knowledge of the truth, |
| 26Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will. | 26so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. |
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