2 Timothy 2

Paul Again Encourages Timothy to Be Faithful 1My son, be strong in the grace that is yours in Christ Jesus. 2You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to people you can trust the things you’ve heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also. 3Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, join with me in suffering. 4A soldier does not take part in things that don’t have anything to do with the army. Instead, he tries to please his commanding officer. 5It is the same for anyone who takes part in a sport. They don’t receive the winner’s crown unless they play by the rules. 6The farmer who works hard should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

7Think about what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand what all of it means. 8Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David’s family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news. 9I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God’s word is not held back by chains.

10So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever.

11Here is a saying you can trust. If we died with him, we will also live with him.

12If we don’t give up, we will also rule with him. If we say we don’t know him, he will also say he doesn’t know us.

13Even if we are not faithful, he remains faithful. He must be true to himself.

What to Do About False Teachers 14Keep reminding God’s people of these things. While God is watching, warn them not to argue about words. That doesn’t have any value. It only destroys those who listen. 15Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly. 16Stay away from godless chatter. Those who take part in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like a deadly sickness. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of those teachers. 18They have turned away from the truth. They say that the time when people will rise from the dead has already come. They destroy the faith of some people.

19But God’s solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. “The Lord knows who his own people are.” Also, “All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil.” 20In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes.

21Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work. 22Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Don’t have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights. 24Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone. 25They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth. 26Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted.