Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
[1:13] Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [1:14] That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
[1:15] This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. [1:16] May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, [1:17] but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me [1:18] (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord's mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
[2:1] You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2:2] The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. [2:3] You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [2:4] No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. [2:5] Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. [2:6] The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. [2:7] Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
[2:8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News, [2:9] in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained. [2:10] Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [2:11] This saying is faithful:
"For if we died with him, we will also live with him. [2:12] If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. [2:13] If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself."
[2:14] Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
[2:15] Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. [2:16] But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, [2:17] and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [2:18] men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. [2:19] However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his,"[*] and, "Let every one who names the name of [the Lord] depart from unrighteousness." [2:20] Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. [2:21] If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work.
[2:22] Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [2:23] But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. [2:24] The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, [2:25] in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, [2:26] and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
[3:1] But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. [3:2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3:3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, [3:4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; [3:5] holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. [3:6] For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, [3:7] always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [3:8] Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. [3:9] But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. [3:10] But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, [3:11] persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me. [3:12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. [3:13] But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. [3:14] But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. [3:15] From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. [3:16] Every writing [inspired by God] is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, [3:17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.