2 Timothy 2
Be strengthened by the grace of Christ Jesus and the teachings received, and labor like a good soldier of Christ, untangled from worldly matters. The Lord will give understanding in all things, and one must be mindful of the Gospel of Christ's resurrection. If we have died with him, we will also live with him, and if we suffer, we will also reign with him. One must present themselves as a proven worker, handling the Word of Truth correctly, and avoid profane talk, pursuing justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, while correcting those who resist the truth with self-restraint.
And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesusand by the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses. These things encourage faithful men, who shall then be suitable to teach others alsoLabor like a good soldier of Christ JesusNo man, acting as a soldier for God, entangles himself in worldly matters, so that he may be pleasing to him for whom he has proven himselfThen, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfullyThe farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produceUnderstand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all thingsBe mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my GospelI labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not boundI endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly gloryIt is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with himIf we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny usIf we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himselfInsist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listenersBe solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctlyBut avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impietyAnd their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetuswho have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain personsBut the firm foundation of God remains standing, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his own, and all who know the name of the Lord depart from iniquityBut, in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also those of wood and of clay; and certainly some are held in honor, but others in dishonorIf anyone, then, will have cleansed himself from these things, he shall be a vessel held in honor, sanctified and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good workSo then, flee from the desires of your youth, yet truly, pursue justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heartBut avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strifeFor the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patientcorrecting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truthand then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will
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