2 Timothy

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, chapter 2, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 2 New English Translation

Serving Faithfully Despite Hardship

   1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And 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. 3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am saying and the LORD will give you understanding of all this.
   8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! 10 So 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. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.
   12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.
   13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.

Dealing with False Teachers

   14 Remind 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. 15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 16 But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 17 and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 18 They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith. 19 However, 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."
   20 Now 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. 21 So 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. 22 But 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. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 24 And the LORD's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth 26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will.

King James Version

   1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
   2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
   3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
   4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
   5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
   6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
   7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
   8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
   9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
   10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
   11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
   12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
   13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
   14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
   15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
   16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
   17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
   18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
   19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
   20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
   21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
   22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
   23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
   24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
   25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
   26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.