1You, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2What you heard from me among many witnesses, entrust likewise to faithful men who will be able to teach others as well. 3You too must endure tribulations as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of this life, in order to please the one who enrolled him as a soldier. 5Likewise, anyone who competes in athletics cannot be crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 6The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. 7Think over what I have said, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8Remember my Good News: Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David. 9Because of this I suffer tribulations to the point of being in chains as a criminal. However, God’s word2087 is not chained! 10Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11This saying is sure:
For if we died with him, we will also live with him.
12If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he also will deny us.
13If we are faithless, he remains faithful;
He cannot deny himself.
14Remind the people of these things, warning them in the sight of the Lord that they should not argue about words: this profits nothing and it brings ruin to those who listen.
15Work hard to present yourself as approved by God, as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16Stay away from godless empty discussions because those involved in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their word will consume like gangrene! Some of them are Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18they are in error concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past2088 and they bring some people’s faith to ruin. 19However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,”2089 and, “Let every one who calls upon the Name of the Lord2090 depart from unrighteousness.”
20Now in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are for an honorable use and some for a dishonorable use. 21Therefore, if anyone purges himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
22Flee from youthful lusts! Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Reject foolish and ignorant questionings because you know that they result in conflict. 24The Lord’s servant must not be argumentative but gentle to all, able to teach, and patient! 25In gentleness, he should correct those who oppose him: perhaps God will give them the repentance that leads to a full knowledge of the truth. 26Thus, they may return to their senses and escape the snare of the devil (who had taken them captive to do his will).
Troubled times in the last days,
- Or “message”
- Or “has already taken place”
- Compare Numbers 16:5. NT agrees with LXX against MT.
- TR reads “Christ” instead of “the Lord.” EOB main text does not follow TR in this case.
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
