2 Timothy 2

1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in Christ Jesus:

1So then, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.

2And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who shall be fit to teach others also.

2And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.

3Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

3Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.

4No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses: that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself.

4A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army.

5For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

5And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.

6The husbandman that laboureth must first partake of the fruits.

6It is right for the worker in the fields to be the first to take of the fruit.

7Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in all things understanding.

7Give thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things.

8Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

8Keep in mind Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who came back from the dead, as my good news gives witness:

9Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound.

9In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains, like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains.

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

10But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him.

11This is a true saying: If we undergo death with him, then will we be living with him:

12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

12If we go on to the end, then we will be ruling with him: if we say we have no knowledge of him, then he will say he has no knowledge of us:

13If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself.

13If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.

14Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words: for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

14Put these things before them, giving them orders in the name of the Lord to keep themselves from fighting about words, which is of no profit, only causing error in their hearers.

15Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

15Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.

16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.

16But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,

17And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:

17And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18Who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.

18Men whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.

19But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.

19But God's strong base is unchanging, having this sign, The Lord has knowledge of those who are his: and, Let everyone by whom the name of the Lord is named be turned away from evil.

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour.

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but others of wood and earth, and some which are honoured and some without honour.

21If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work.

21If a man makes himself clean from these, he will be a vessel for honour, made holy, ready for the master's use, ready for every good work.

22But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

22But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.

23And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.

23And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.

24But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient,

24For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

25With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth;

25Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,

26And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil by whom they are held captive at his will.

26And so they may get themselves free from the net of the Evil One, being made the prisoners of the Lord's servant, for the purpose of God.