| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1So you, my child, 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 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. | 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. |
| 3Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3Endure suffering along with me, 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. | 4Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. |
| 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. | 5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. |
| 6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. | 6And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 7Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. | 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. |
| 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, | 8Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. |
| 9for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! | 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. |
| 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. | 10So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. |
| 11This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him. | 11This is a trustworthy saying: If we die 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 hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. |
| 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. |
| 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 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 |
| 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. | 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 avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, | 16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. |
| 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. | 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of 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. | 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. |
| 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 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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. | 23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. |
| 24And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, 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. |
| 25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge 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 they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do 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. |
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