| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1As for you, my child, be strong by the grace that is in the Messiah Jesus. | 1So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. | 2And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. |
| 3Join me in suffering like a good soldier of the Messiah Jesus. | 3Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding officer. | 4No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. |
| 5Moreover, no one who is an athlete wins a prize unless he competes according to the rules. | 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6Furthermore, it is the hard working farmer who should have the first share of the crops. | 6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you to understand all these things. | 7Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. |
| 8Meditate on Jesus, the Messiah, who was raised from the dead and is a descendant of David. This is the gospel I tell others. | 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, |
| 9Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God's word is not chained. | 9for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! |
| 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. | 10So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. |
| 11This saying is trustworthy: In dying with the Messiah, true life we gain. | 11This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him. |
| 12Enduring, we with him will reign. Who him denies, he will disclaim. | 12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. |
| 13Our faith may fail, his never wanes— That's who he is, he cannot change! | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. |
| 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. | 14Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. |
| 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. | 15Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. |
| 16However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly, | 16But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, |
| 17and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. | 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. |
| 18They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others. | 18They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith. |
| 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." | 19However, God's solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil." |
| 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. | 20Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. |
| 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. | 21So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. |
| 22Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. | 22But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. |
| 23Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. | 23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. |
| 24A servant of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable, willing to suffer wrong, | 24And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, |
| 25and gentle when refuting opponents. After all, maybe God will allow them to repent and to come to a full knowledge of the truth, | 25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth |
| 26so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will. | 26and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will. |
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