| King James Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you 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. | 2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. |
| 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Endure suffering along with me, as 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. | 4Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. |
| 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. | 5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. |
| 6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. | 6And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. | 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. |
| 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: | 8Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. |
| 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. | 9And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be 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. | 10So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. |
| 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: | 11This is a trustworthy saying: If we die 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 hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. |
| 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. |
| 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. | 14Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. An Approved Worker |
| 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | 15Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. |
| 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. | 16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. |
| 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; | 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. |
| 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. | 18They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. |
| 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. | 19But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” |
| 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 wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday 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. | 21If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. |
| 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | 22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. |
| 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. | 23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. |
| 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, | 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. |
| 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; | 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. |
| 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. | 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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