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2 Timothy 2
International Standard Version

Remain Committed to the Messiah Jesus

2 As for you, my child, be strong by the grace that is in the Messiah[a] Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. 3 Join me in suffering like a good soldier of the Messiah[b] Jesus. 4 No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding officer. 5 Moreover, no one who is an athlete wins a prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 Furthermore, it is the hard working farmer who should have the first share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you to understand all these things.

8 Meditate on[c] Jesus, the Messiah,[d] who was raised from the dead and is a descendant of David. This is the gospel I tell others.[e] 9 Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God’s word is not chained. 10 For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive the salvation that is in the Messiah[f] Jesus, along with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:[g]

In dying with the Messiah,[h]
    true life we gain.[i]
12 Enduring, we with him will reign.
    Who him denies,
        he will disclaim.
13 Our faith may fail,
    his never wanes—
That’s who he is,
    he cannot change![j]

14 Remind others about these things, and warn them before God[k] not to argue over words. Arguing[l] does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision. 16 However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly, 17 and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. 18 They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others.

19 However, God’s solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord[m] knows those who belong to him,”[n] and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord[o] must turn away from evil.”[p] 20 In a large house there are not only utensils made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, while others are for ordinary use. 21 Therefore, if anyone stops associating with[q] these people, he will become a special utensil, set apart for the owner’s use, prepared for every good action.

22 Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness,[r] love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. 23 Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. 24 A servant[s] of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable,[t] willing to suffer wrong, 25 and gentle when refuting opponents. After all, maybe God will allow them to repent and to come to a full knowledge of the truth, 26 so that they might escape from the Devil’s snare, even though they’ve been held captive by him to do his will.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:1 Or Christ
  2. 2 Timothy 2:3 Or Christ
  3. 2 Timothy 2:8 Or Remember
  4. 2 Timothy 2:8 Or Christ
  5. 2 Timothy 2:8 Lit. of David, according to my gospel
  6. 2 Timothy 2:10 Or Christ
  7. 2 Timothy 2:11 This formula accompanied early Christian sayings on which full reliance could be placed.
  8. 2 Timothy 2:11 Lit. him
  9. 2 Timothy 2:11 Lit. we will live with him
  10. 2 Timothy 2:13 Lit. he cannot deny himself
  11. 2 Timothy 2:14 Other mss. read of the Lord
  12. 2 Timothy 2:14 Lit. It
  13. 2 Timothy 2:19 MT source citation reads Lord
  14. 2 Timothy 2:19 Cf. Num 16:5
  15. 2 Timothy 2:19 MT source citation reads Lord
  16. 2 Timothy 2:19 Cf. Num 16:26
  17. 2 Timothy 2:21 Lit. cleanses himself from
  18. 2 Timothy 2:22 Or faith
  19. 2 Timothy 2:24 Or slave
  20. 2 Timothy 2:24 Or able to teach
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2 Timothy 2
New International Version

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son,(A) be strong(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say(C) in the presence of many witnesses(D) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering,(E) like a good soldier(F) of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(G) except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(H) 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(I) descended from David.(J) This is my gospel,(K) 9 for which I am suffering(L) even to the point of being chained(M) like a criminal. But God’s word(N) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(O) for the sake of the elect,(P) that they too may obtain the salvation(Q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(R)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(S)

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;(T)
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.(U)
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;(V)
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,(W)
    for he cannot disown himself.

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(X) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(Y) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(Z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(AA) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(AB) and they destroy the faith of some.(AC) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(AD) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(AE) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(AF) must turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.(AG) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.(AH)

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(AI) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(AJ) out of a pure heart.(AK) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(AL) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(AM) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(AN) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(AO) who has taken them captive to do his will.

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