| New King James Version | New Living Translation |
| 1You 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 you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will 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. |
| 3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Endure suffering along with me, 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. | 4Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. |
| 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. | 5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. | 6And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you 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. |
| 9for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. | 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 sake of the elect, that they also may 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. |
| 11This is a faithful saying: For if we died 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 endure, 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 are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. |
| 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 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 |
| 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need 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 idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. | 16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. |
| 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, | 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. |
| 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they 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 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.” | 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 silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who 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 avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. | 23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. |
| 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able 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 humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know 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 come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him 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. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | 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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