| 章 |
| 2:1 |
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
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| 2:2 |
and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
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| 2:3 |
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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| 2:4 |
No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him.
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| 2:5 |
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
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| 2:6 |
It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
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| 2:7 |
Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.
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| 2:8 |
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel,
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| 2:9 |
the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered.
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| 2:10 |
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.
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| 2:11 |
The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
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| 2:12 |
if we endure, we shall also reign with him;if we deny him, he also will deny us;
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| 2:13 |
if we are faithless, he remains faithful -- for he cannot deny himself.
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| 2:14 |
Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruinsthe hearers.
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| 2:15 |
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
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| 2:16 |
Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
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| 2:17 |
and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. Among them are Hymenae'us and Phile'tus,
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| 2:18 |
who have swerved from the truth by holding that the resurrection is past already. They are upsetting the faith of some.
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| 2:19 |
But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'
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| 2:20 |
In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble.
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| 2:21 |
If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to themaster of the house, ready for any good work.
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| 2:22 |
So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.
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| 2:23 |
Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies;you know that they breed quarrels.
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| 2:24 |
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing,
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| 2:25 |
correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth,
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| 2:26 |
and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
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