2Ti 2 | HCSB | STEP | You , therefore , my son , be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus .

2 Timothy 2

Be Strong in Grace

1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace ^a that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me ^b in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful ^c men who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ^d 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. ^e 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead ^f and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. 9 I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound. 10 This is why I endure ^g all things for the elect: ^h so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ⁱ 11 This saying is trustworthy: ^j

For if we have died with Him, ^k
we will also live with Him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign ^l with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.

An Approved Worker

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God ^{▼▼Other mss read before the Lord} not to fight about words; ⁿ this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. ^o 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. ^p 17 And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus ^q and Philetus are among them. 18 They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, ^r and are overturning the faith of some. ^s 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: ^t

The Lord knows those who are His, ^{u
,} ^v and
Everyone who names the name ^w of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness. ^x

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, ^y but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable ^{▼▼Or special} use, some for dishonorable. ^{▼▼Or ordinary
,} ^ab 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, ^{▼▼Lit from these} he will be a special ^{▼▼Or an honorable} instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ^ae

22 Flee ^af from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, ^ag along with those who call on the Lord ^ah from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s ^ai ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}slave must not quarrel, ^ak but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, ^{▼▼Or everyone, skillful in teaching} and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. ^am Perhaps God will grant them repentance ^an leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, ^ao having been captured by him to do his will. ^ap