| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2And 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. | 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. |
| 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. | 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. |
| 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. | 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. |
| 6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. | 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. | 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. |
| 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: | 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, |
| 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. | 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. |
| 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. | 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. |
| 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: | 11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; |
| 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: | 12if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; |
| 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. | 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. |
| 14Of 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. | 14Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. |
| 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. |
| 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. | 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. |
| 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; | 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. | 18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. |
| 19Nevertheless 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. | 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." |
| 20But 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. | 20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. |
| 21If 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. | 21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. |
| 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | 22Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. | 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. |
| 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, | 24And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. |
| 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; | 25Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, |
| 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. | 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. |
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