| New International Version | NET Bible |
| 1You then, 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 you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. | 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. |
| 3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | 3Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. | 4No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. |
| 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. | 5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. | 6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. | 7Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. |
| 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, | 8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, |
| 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. | 9for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! |
| 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that 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. |
| 11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; | 11This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him. |
| 12if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; | 12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. |
| 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. | 13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. |
| 14Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. | 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. |
| 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles 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. |
| 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. | 16But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, |
| 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, | 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. |
| 18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy 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, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." | 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." |
| 20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. | 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. |
| 21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any 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 the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who 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. |
| 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. | 23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. |
| 24And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. | 24And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, |
| 25Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, | 25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth |
| 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do 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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