| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1You, therefore, my son, 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 what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. |
| 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Share in 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 serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. |
| 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 is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. | 6The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. | 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. |
| 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: | 8Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. |
| 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. | 9I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God's message is not bound. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: | 11This saying is trustworthy: For if we have 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 faithless, He remains faithful, for 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 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. |
| 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. |
| 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. | 16But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. |
| 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; | 17And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. |
| 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. | 18They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning the faith of some. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. |
| 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 anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to 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. | 22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those 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 disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. |
| 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, | 24The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, |
| 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; | 25instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the 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. | 26Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will. |
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