| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | 1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 2And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. | 2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well. |
| 3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. | 4A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. |
| 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. | 5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules. |
| 6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. | 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. | 7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things. |
| 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, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel, |
| 9for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. | 9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained! |
| 10Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. | 10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. |
| 11This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. | 11This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; |
| 12If we endure, 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 are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. | 13if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. |
| 14Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. | 14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin. |
| 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | 15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. |
| 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. | 16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, |
| 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, | 17and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. | 18who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some. |
| 19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” | 19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” |
| 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. | 20A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. |
| 21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. | 21So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. |
| 22Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. | 22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 23But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. | 23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. |
| 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, | 24And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. |
| 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, | 25He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. |
| 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. | 26Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will. |
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