2:1 Therefore my child, be strong in the generosity that is in Anointed Jesus,
and the things that you heard from me through many witnesses, entrust these things to
trustworthy people who will also be competent to teach others.
Therefore, suffer bad things with me as a good soldier of Anointed Jesus. No one who is
serving as a soldier involves himself with life's practicalities, so that he may please the one who
enlisted him as a soldier.
Now also, if someone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he has competed
lawfully.
It is necessary for the gardener who labors to partake first of the fruits.
Think about what I'm saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
Remember Anointed Jesus who was raised from among the dead, who was from the seed
of David according to my good message, in which I am suffering bad things, even to bondage, as
though I were someone who does bad things. But God's message is not bound.
For this reason, I am undergoing all things: on account of the chosen ones, so that they
also might obtain the salvation that is in Anointed Jesus, along with eternal glory.
This statement is reliable: For, "if we have died together, we will also live together." If
we endure, we will also be royalty together. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we are
untrusting, he remains trustworthy, for he is unable to deny himself.
14 Remind them of these things, solemnly testifying in God's presence
that they should not fight verbally (with no useful result) to the ruin of those who hear.
Be diligent to present yourself to God as approved, an unashamed worker, cutting the message of
truth properly. But avoid profane empty sounds, for they will continue to the point of more
impiety, and their message will have as pasture a festering sore. Among them are Humeneus and
Filetos, who have missed the mark concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already
happened. And they have overturned some people's trust.
The firm foundation of God is standing, however, which has this seal: "Yahweh knew
those who were his," and, "Let every one who names the name of Yahweh depart from
wrong."
20 Now in a great house, there are not only golden and silver vessels, but also
wooden and earthen ones; some also indeed are for honor, but some are for dishonor. Therefore,
if anyone should cleanse himself away from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, made
holy, being of good advantage to the master, prepared for every good deed.
22 Now, flee the strong youthful desires, but pursue what is right: trust, love,
peace--with those who call on the Lord out of a clean heart.
But avoid the foolish and uninstructive questions, knowing that they engender fights. But
it is necessary for God's slave not to fight, but to be gentle toward all people, fit to teach,
enduring bad things, instructing those who oppose you with meekness. Perhaps God may give
them a change of mind into knowledge of the truth, and they may be retrieved from the accuser's
snare. (They were captured by him for his wishes.)
3:1 Now you know this: that in later days harsh seasons will be standing.
For the people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, feeling superior, those who say
evil things, unpersuaded by their parents, unthankful, irreverent, without familial love,
impossible to satisfy, accusers, out of control, vicious, without love for good people, betrayers,
reckless, arrogant, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of piety but
denying its power.
Turn away from these also. For among these people are those who enter into houses and
take captive easy women who are burdened with sins. These people are led away by various
strong desires, always learning and never able to come into recognition of the truth. Now in the
way that Yannes and Yambres opposed Moses, so also these ones are opposed to truth. They are
people whose minds are decayed; they are disapproved regarding the faith.
But they won't proceed to more of this, for their mindlessness will be obvious to all, as it
happened also with those two.
But you have closely followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, trust, longsuffering, love,
patience, persecutions, sufferings (what happened to me in Antiochus, in Ikonium, in
Lustra--what persecutions I endured and that the Lord rescued me from them all).
Now indeed all those who want to live piously in Anointed Jesus will be persecuted. But
evil people and charlatans will proceed to what is worse, tricking and being tricked. But you
continue in the things that you learned and found trustworthy, knowing from whom you have
learned and that from the time when you were a baby you have known the sacred writings--those
which are able to make you wise to the point of salvation (through that trust in Anointed Jesus).
Each divinely inspired writing is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for that
training in what is right--so that God's person may be competent, fitted thoroughly for every
good deed.
4:1 I solemnly testify in the presence of God and Anointed Jesus, the one who
is about to judge the living and the dead, raccording to his appearing and his
kingdom.
Herald the message. Stand on it in season or out of season. Refute, reprove, advise in all
longsuffering and instruction.
For there will be a season when when they will not endure the wholesome teaching, but
according to their own strong desires they will accumulate teachers who tickle their ears, and
indeed they will turn away from hearing the truth; but they will be turned aside to fables.
Now you be clear-headed in all things. Suffer bad things. Do the work of a good
messenger. Fulfill your service. For I am already being poured out, and the season of my being
set free has approached. I have competed in the good contest: I have finished the race; I have
defended the faith. The crown of Right remains set aside for me, which the Lord will give me on
that day. He is the just judge, not only toward me but also toward all who have loved his
appearing.
9 Try hard to some to me soon. For Daemas has forsaken me, since he loved the
present age. And he has gone to Thessalonike; Kreskens went to Galatia; Titus went to
Dalmatia. Lukas alone is with me.
Take up Markus; bring him with you. For he is advantageous to me for service. Now I
sent Tuchikos to Ephesus. As you come, bring the cloak that I left in Troas with Karpos and the
scrolls (especially the parchments).
Alexandros the coppersmith openly did many bad things to me. May the Lord give to
him according to his deeds. You guard against him too, for he has greatly opposed our
words.
In my first defense, no one was together with me, but everyone abandoned me. (May it
not be recorded to them.) But the Lord was around, and empowered me so that through me the
heralding might be fulfilled, and that all the nations might hear. And I was rescued out of the
mouth of a lion. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and he will save me for his
heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. A-mein.
19 Greet Prisca and Akila and the household of Onesiforos. Erastus remained
in Korinth, but I left Trofimus in Miletus since he was ill. Try hard to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linos, Klaudia, and all the brothers. May the Lord be
with your spirit. May generosity be with you all.