| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. |
| 2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well. | 2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. |
| 3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. | 4Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. |
| 5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules. | 5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops. | 6And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things. | 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. |
| 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel, | 8Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. |
| 9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained! | 9And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. |
| 10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. | 10So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. |
| 11This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; | 11This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. |
| 12if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; | 12If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. |
| 13if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. |
| 14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin. | 14Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. An Approved Worker |
| 15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. | 15Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. |
| 16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, | 16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. |
| 17and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, | 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. |
| 18who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some. | 18They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. |
| 19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” | 19But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” |
| 20A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. | 20In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. |
| 21So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. | 21If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. |
| 22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | 22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. |
| 23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. | 23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. |
| 24And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. | 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. |
| 25He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. | 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. |
| 26Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will. | 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. |
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