| New King James Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | 2What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. |
| 3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. | 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. |
| 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. | 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. | 6The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. | 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. |
| 8Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, | 8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, |
| 9for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. | 9for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. |
| 10Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. | 10This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. |
| 11This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. | 11This saying is trustworthy: For if we died with him, we will also live with him; |
| 12If we endure, 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 deny him, he will also deny us; |
| 13If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. | 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. |
| 14Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. | 14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. |
| 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | 15Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. |
| 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. | 16Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, |
| 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, | 17and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. |
| 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. | 18They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some. |
| 19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” | 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness. |
| 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. | 20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. |
| 21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. | 21So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. |
| 22Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | 22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. |
| 23But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. | 23But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. |
| 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, | 24The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, |
| 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, | 25instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. |
| 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. | 26Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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