2 Timothy 2

1Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1So, my child, find your strength in the grace that is available in Christ Jesus.

2And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2Take the things you heard me teach in front of many witnesses and pass them on to reliable people who will be able to teach others too.

3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

3Take your share of suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

4A soldier on active duty doesn't get tied up in the everyday affairs of civilian life, because he wants to please the officer who enlisted him.

5And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.

5In the same way, an athlete cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules of the competition.

6The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.

6The hard-working farmer should be the first one to enjoy a share of the crop.

7Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.

7Think about what I am saying, and the Lord will help you understand all of it.

8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

8Always remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and was a descendant of David, just as I preach in the Good News.

9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.

9Because I preach this, I am suffering and am even chained like a criminal; but the word of God cannot be chained.

10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

10That is why I endure everything for the sake of those God has chosen, so that they also may find the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, along with eternal glory.

11Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

11This is a statement you can trust: If we died with him, we will also live with him.

12if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

12If we endure hardship, we will also rule with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

13if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be untrue to himself.

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.

14Remind people of these things. Warn them before God not to argue about words; it does no good and only ruins those who are listening.

15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

15Work hard to present yourself to God as one he approves of—a worker who has no reason to be ashamed because you correctly teach the message of truth.

16But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

16Avoid godless and empty chatter, because it only leads people further away from God.

17and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus;

17That kind of talk spreads like a dangerous infection. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of this.

18men who 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 by claiming that the resurrection has already happened, and they are ruining the faith of some people.

19Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

19But God’s solid foundation stands firm, marked with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and 'Everyone who says they belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.'

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.

20In a large house, there are not only bowls made of gold and silver, but also ones made of wood and clay. Some are for special occasions, while others are for ordinary use.

21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.

21If anyone keeps themselves pure from the evil things I mentioned, they will be a utensil for special use, set apart and useful to the Master, ready for every good work.

22But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

22Run away from the evil desires of youth. Instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.

23But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

23Stay away from foolish and ignorant arguments, because you know they only start fights.

24And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,

24A servant of the Lord must not be argumentative. Instead, be kind to everyone, be a good teacher, and be patient.

25in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,

25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will lead them to repent so they can know the truth.

26and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

26Then they might come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has caught them and forced them to do his will.