2Timothy:2

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* You then , my son , be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus , * and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also . * Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus . * No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits , since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him . * An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules . * It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops . * Think over what I say , for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything . * Remember Jesus Christ , risen from the dead , descended from David , as preached in my gospel , * the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal . But the word of God is not fettered . * Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect , that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory . * The saying is sure : If we have died with him , we shall also live with him ; * if we endure , we shall also reign with him ; if we deny him , he also will deny us ; * if we are faithless , he remains faithful -- for he cannot deny himself . * Remind them of this , and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words , which does no good , but only ruins the hearers . * Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved , a workman who has no need to be ashamed , rightly handling the word of truth . * Avoid such godless chatter , for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness , * and their talk will eat its way like gangrene . Among them are Hymenae 'us and Phile 'tus , * who have swerved from the truth by holding that the resurrection is past already . They are upsetting the faith of some . * But God 's firm foundation stands , bearing this seal : "The Lord knows those who are his ," and , "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity ." * In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware , and some for noble use , some for ignoble . * If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble , then he will be a vessel for noble use , consecrated and useful to the master of the house , ready for any good work . * So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness , faith , love , and peace , along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart . * Have nothing to do with stupid , senseless controversies ; you know that they breed quarrels . * And the Lord 's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one , an apt teacher , forbearing , * correcting his opponents with gentleness . God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth , * and they may escape from the snare of the devil , after being captured by him to do his will .

---