[1] Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2] And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
[3] Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
[4] No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
[5] And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.
[6] The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.
[7] Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.
[8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
[9] wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
[11] Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
[12] if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
[13] if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.
[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
[15] Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
[16] But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
[17] and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus;
[18] men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.
[19] Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
[20] Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.
[21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.
[22] But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[23] But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
[24] And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
[25] in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
[26] and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.