| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, |
| 2And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. |
| 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. | 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. |
| 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. | 5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. | 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. | 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. |
| 8Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. | 8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, |
| 9I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God's message is not bound. | 9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! |
| 10This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. | 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. |
| 11This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; | 11The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died 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, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; |
| 13if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. | 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. |
| 14Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. | 14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. |
| 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. | 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. |
| 16But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. | 16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, |
| 17And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. | 17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning the faith of some. | 18who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. |
| 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness. | 19But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” |
| 20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. | 20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. |
| 21So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. | 21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. |
| 22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. | 22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. |
| 23But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. | 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. |
| 24The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, | 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, |
| 25instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. | 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, |
| 26Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will. | 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. |
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