1 ¶ Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among1 many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
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3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
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5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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6 The husbandman that2 laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
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7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
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8 ¶ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
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9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
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10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
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12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
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13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
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14 ¶ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
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15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
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17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:3 of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
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18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
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19 ¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,4 having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
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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.
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21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
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22 ¶ Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
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24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,5
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25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
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26 And that they may recover6 themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken7 captive by him at his will.
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