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2 Timothy 2 (AMP)

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¹ SO YOU, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also. ³ Take your share of the hardships and suffering as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down). ⁶ the hard-working farmer who must be the first partaker of the fruits. ⁷ Think over these things I am saying , for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything. ⁸ Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) risen from the dead, descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach. ⁹ For that I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned! ¹⁰ Therefore I persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect , so that they too may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ¹¹ The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. ¹² If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us. ¹³ If we are faithless , He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. ¹⁴ Remind of these facts and charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers. ¹⁵ Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth. ¹⁶ But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their teaching will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ Who have missed the mark and swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some. ¹⁹ But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. ²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble and some for menial and ignoble . ²¹ So whoever cleanses himself will be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. ²² Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); faith, love, peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all , who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. ²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered ; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. ²⁵ He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth , ²⁶ And that they may come to their senses escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, to do His will.