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.
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