1Thoutherefore, myson, be strongin the grace that is inChristJesus.
2And the things that thou hast heardofmeamongmanywitnesses, the same commit thou to faithfulmen, who shall beable to teachothersalso.
3Thoutherefore endure hardness, as a goodsoldier of JesusChrist.
4
No manthatwarreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5Andif a manalsostrive for masteries, yet is henotcrowned, excepthestrivelawfully.
6
The husbandman that laboureth must befirstpartaker of the fruits.
7Considerwhat I say; and the Lordgivetheeunderstandingin all things.
8Remember that JesusChristof the seedofDavid was raisedfrom the dead according tomygospel:
9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even untobonds; but the word of Godisnotbound.
10Therefore I endure all thingsfor the elect's sakes, thattheymayalsoobtain the salvationwhich is inChristJesuswitheternalglory.
11
It is a faithfulsaying: Forif we be dead with him, we shallalso live with him:
12If we suffer, we shallalso reign with him: if we deny him, he also will denyus:
13If we believe not, yet heabidethfaithful: hecannotdenyhimself.
14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strivenot about wordstonoprofit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15Study to shewthyselfapproved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16Butshunprofane and vain babblings: for they will increaseuntomoreungodliness.
17Andtheirword will eatas doth a canker: of whomisHymenaeusandPhiletus;
18Whoconcerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is pastalready; andoverthrow the faith of some.
19Nevertheless the foundation of Godstandethsure, havingthisseal, The Lordknoweth them that arehis. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christdepartfrominiquity.
20Butin a greathouse there arenotonlyvessels of goldand of silver, butalso of woodand of earth; andsometohonour, andsometodishonour.
21If a manthereforepurgehimselffromthese, he shall be a vesseluntohonour, sanctified, andmeet for the master's use, andprepareduntoeverygoodwork.
22Fleealsoyouthfullusts: butfollowrighteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pureheart.
23Butfoolishandunlearnedquestionsavoid, knowingthat they do genderstrifes.
24And the servant of the Lordmustnotstrive; butbegentleuntoall men, apt to teach, patient,
25Inmeeknessinstructing those that oppose themselves; ifGodperadventure will givethemrepentanceto the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snareof the devil, who are taken captivebyhimathiswill.