| Chapter 2
|
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. |