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.
Num 16:5,
26
|
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. |