Further exhortations1Therefore, my dear son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2And the things you have heard me say before many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others.3Be prepared to suffer adversity as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4No soldier is involved in civilian life, so he can be free to please the one who enlisted him.5And no athlete will win the gold medal unless he competes according to the rules.6The first to receive his share of the crop should be the hard working farmer.7Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will give you all the understanding you need.8-9Remember Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and was descended from David, according to the gospel I preach, the same gospel for which I suffer and am imprisoned as if I was a criminal.10But all these things I endure for the benefit of God's chosen ones, so they can obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus and that leads to eternal glory.11-12God's Word is true and is to be trusted: "If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we persevere we shall also reign with Him; but if we deny Him He will also deny us.13If we are without faith He will still remain faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."14Keep reminding the believers of these things, warning them before God not to fight over words. Such disputes achieve nothing and only have a negative affect on those who hear them.15Do your very best to present yourself before God as one who is approved of, a workman who has nothing of which to be ashamed and who handles the Word of truth with care.16Avoid ungodly conversation; it only produces more ungodliness.17Those who indulge in it spread disease like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are prime examples of this.18They have departed from the truth by saying that the resurrection of all believers has taken place already. As a result they have destroyed the faith of some people.19However, the firm foundation God has laid still stands, for He has placed His seal on it. "The Lord knows those who belong to Him," and "Let everyone who calls on the Lord's name turn away from sin."20Now in a house there are not only gold and silver objects but also utensils made of wood and pottery. Some things are for special purposes, others are for common use.21If anyone cleanses himself of whatever produces evil he will be fit for special use that will honour the master, for he is devoted to him and is prepared to do anything good his master asks of him.22Timothy, run from the evil desires of youth and run after righteousness, faith, love and peace, together with all the other believers who pray to the Lord with clean hearts.23Refuse to have anything to do with foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they only promote quarrels.24And the Lord's servant should not be involved in such quarrels, but should be gentle in his dealings with everyone.25He shall be able to teach others, to be patient with them, to bring correction sensitively to those who oppose him, trusting that the Lord will work in them, causing them to repent and come to a full acceptance of the truth.26Then they will escape the devil's trap that captures people, causing them to do his will.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)