2 TimothyChapter 2
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1So, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2Many witnesses heard the things I taught you. Pass these things on to faithful men. Choose men who will be able to teach others too. 3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4A soldier does not get tangled up in everyday life. He wants to please the officer who brought him into the army. 5In the same way, an athlete does not win the crown unless he follows the rules. 6The farmer who works hard should be the first to get a share of the crops. 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. 8Remember Jesus Christ. He was raised from the dead, and he came from David's family. This is the good news I preach. 9I am suffering for it. I am even chained up like a criminal. But God's word cannot be chained! 10So I put up with everything for the sake of God's chosen people. I want them to be saved too, in Christ Jesus. I want them to have glory that lasts forever. 11This saying is true:
If we died with him, we will also live with him. 12If we keep going, we will also rule with him.
If we deny him, he will also deny us. 13If we are not faithful, he stays faithful,
for he cannot deny himself. 14Keep reminding the believers of these things. Warn them in front of God not to fight about words. That kind of fighting does no good. It only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to show yourself to God as someone he approves. Be a worker who has no need to be ashamed. Handle the word of truth the right way. 16But stay away from empty, godless chatter. It will only lead people further away from God. 17The talk of such people will spread like a disease that eats away the body. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of them. 18They have wandered away from the truth. They say that the rising of the dead has already happened. And they are tearing down the faith of some people. 19But God's strong foundation still stands. It has this seal on it: "The Lord knows those who are his." It also says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from sin." 20A large house does not only have bowls and pots made of gold and silver. It also has some made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, and others are for common use. 21So if anyone makes himself clean from what is not fit, he will be a pot for special use. He will be made holy and useful to the Master. He will be ready for every good work. 22Run away from the evil desires of youth. Chase after what is right. Chase after faith, love, and peace. Do this with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23But have nothing to do with foolish and silly arguments. You know they only start fights. 24A servant of the Lord must not fight. He must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and patient with people. 25He must gently correct those who are against him. Maybe God will let them turn back to him. Then they will come to know the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses. They will escape the devil's trap. He has caught them to do what he wants.