| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2And 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. | 2And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. |
| 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. | 4No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. |
| 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. | 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. | 6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. | 7Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. |
| 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: | 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, |
| 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. | 9for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! |
| 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. | 10So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. |
| 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: | 11This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him. |
| 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: | 12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. |
| 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. |
| 14Of 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. | 14Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. |
| 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | 15Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. |
| 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. | 16But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, |
| 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; | 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. |
| 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. | 18They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people's faith. |
| 19Nevertheless 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. | 19However, God's solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil." |
| 20But 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. | 20Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. |
| 21If 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. | 21So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. |
| 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | 22But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. |
| 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. | 23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. |
| 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, | 24And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, |
| 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; | 25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth |
| 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. | 26and they will come to their senses and escape the devil's trap where they are held captive to do his will. |
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