2 And so you, my child, be strong in the grace which is found in Messiah Jesus.  2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.  3 Share with me in suffering as a good soldier of Messiah Jesus.  4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the concerns of everyday life. His object is to please his recruiter.  5 And an athlete wins no medal unless he competes according to the rules.  6 The hardworking farmer deserves to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am saying and the lord will give you a complete understanding.
    8 Remember Jesus Messiah, resurrected from the dead, a biological descendant of David according to my Gospel.  9 For this Gospel I am suffering to the point of being a criminal in chains, but the Gospel-word of God[1345] is not chained up!  10 So I am enduring everything for the sake of the chosen ones, that they too may gain salvation in Messiah Jesus with its glory of the Coming Age. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.  12 If we endure, we will reign as kings with him.[1346] If we renounce him, he will renounce us. 13 If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself.
    14 Remind the believers of these things, and solemnly charge them before God not to fight about words, which is in no way beneficial but only ruins the listeners.  15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, soundly expounding the Gospel-word of the truth. 16 But avoid profane chatter, because it will lead people to even greater godlessness. 17 Their message will spread like gangrene. Among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus,  18 who veered from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already happened, and they are overthrowing some people’s faith. 19 Nevertheless God’s solid foundation remains firm, engraved with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who belong to Him,” and “Everyone who professes the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”
    20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls but also wooden and clay ones, some for special use and others for ordinary use. 21 If anyone cleanses himself,[1347] he will become a special instrument, set apart as holy, useful to the master, ready for every good work. 22 So flee from youth’s evil desires and pursue uprightness, faith, love and peace, in fellowship with those who call on the lord from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they generate only conflict. 24 And the lord’s servant must not be engaged in conflict, but kind to everyone, competent to teach, and patient, 25 with gentleness correcting opponents. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, after being captured by him to do his will.