| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1You 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 you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will 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. |
| 3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. | 3Take your share of suffering as 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. | 4No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. |
| 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes 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 must be first to partake of the crops. | 6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. |
| 7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you 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, |
| 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 hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned! |
| 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. | 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. |
| 11This is a faithful saying: For if we died 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 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 unfaithful, he remains faithful, since 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 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. |
| 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 before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. |
| 16But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. | 16But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, |
| 17And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, | 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. |
| 18who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they 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 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.” | 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 silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. | 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. |
| 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 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 pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace 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. |
| 23But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. | 23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. |
| 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, | 24And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, |
| 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, | 25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then 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. | 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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