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[1]You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2]And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will also be able to teach others.
[3]You therefore endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4]No one serving military duty entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him.
[5]And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.
[6]The hard-working farmer should rightfully be first to partake of the crops.
[7]Consider what I say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
[8]Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
[9]for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of bonds; but the Word of God is not bound.
[10]Therefore 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.
[11]This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
[12]If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
[13]If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
[14]Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to argue with empty words to no good, to the destruction of the hearers.
[15]Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
[16]But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will proceed to more ungodliness.
[17]And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
[18]who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already come; and they overthrow the faith of some.
[19]Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
[20]But 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.
[21]Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
[22]But flee youthful lusts; and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
[23]But avoid foolish and unlearned questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
[24]Besides, a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
[25]in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance unto a full true knowledge of the truth,
[26]and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
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