2 Timothy 2

2 ¹ So then, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. ³ Take your share of suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier on duty gets tangled up in civilian affairs — he wants to please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Think over what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, a descendant of David, as told in my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer, chained like a criminal. But the word of our Father is not chained! ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ¹¹ This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; ¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we disown him, he also will disown us; ¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

A Worker Approved by the Father

¹⁴ Keep reminding them of these things, and warn them before our Father not to quarrel about words — it does no good but only ruins those who listen.

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to our Father as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already happened, and they are overturning the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, our Father's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "He knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names his name turn away from wickedness."

²⁰ Now in a great house there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. ²¹ So if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master of the house, ready for every good work.

²² So flee the passions of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know they breed quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged, ²⁵ gently correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps our Father will grant them repentance that leads them to know the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has held them captive to do his will.