| NET Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, |
| 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. | 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. |
| 3Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. | 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. |
| 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. | 5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. | 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. | 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. |
| 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, | 8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, |
| 9for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! | 9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! |
| 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. | 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also 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. | 11The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; |
| 12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. | 12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; |
| 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. | 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. |
| 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. | 14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. |
| 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. | 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. |
| 16But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, | 16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, |
| 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. | 17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith. | 18who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. |
| 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." | 19But 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 depart from iniquity.” |
| 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. | 20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. |
| 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. | 21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. |
| 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. | 22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. |
| 23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. | 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. |
| 24And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, | 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, |
| 25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth | 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, |
| 26and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will. | 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. |
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