5 And if a man also striveth for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he striveth lawfully.
6 The farmer that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. [1]
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 In which I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we are dead with him, we shall also live with him :
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him : if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [2]
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [3]
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore will cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, and fit for the master’s use, and prepared to every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they produce quarrels.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, [4]
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose him; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. [5] [6]
CHAP. 3.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [7]
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying its power: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with various lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, rejected as concerning the faith. [8]
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident to all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, [9]
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 And, all indeed that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing from whom thou hast learned them ;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works. [10]
CHAP. 4.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
- ↑ that...: or, labouring first, must be partaker of the fruits
- ↑ canker: or, gangrene
- ↑ sure: or, steady
- ↑ patient: or, forbearing
- ↑ recover...: Gr. awake
- ↑ taken...: Gr. taken alive
- ↑ false...: or, one who foments strife
- ↑ reprobate: or, of no judgment
- ↑ fully...: or, been a diligent follower of
- ↑ throughly...: or, perfected
