1 Tu, pois, filho meu, fortifica-te na graça que está em Cristo Jesus. 2 E o que de minha parte ouviste através de muitas testemunhas, isso mesmo transmite a homens fiéis e também idôneos para instruir a outros. 3 Participa dos meus sofrimentos como bom soldado de Cristo Jesus. 4 Nenhum soldado em serviço se envolve em negócios desta vida, porque o seu objetivo é satisfazer àquele que o arregimentou. 5 Igualmente, o atleta não é coroado se não lutar segundo as normas. 6 O lavrador que trabalha deve ser o primeiro a participar dos frutos. 7 Pondera o que acabo de dizer, porque o Senhor te dará compreensão em todas as coisas.

8 Lembra-te de Jesus Cristo, ressuscitado de entre os mortos, descendente de Davi, segundo o meu evangelho; 9 pelo qual estou sofrendo até algemas, como malfeitor; contudo, a palavra de Deus não está algemada. 10 Por esta razão, tudo suporto por causa dos eleitos, para que também eles obtenham a salvação que está em Cristo Jesus, com eterna glória. 11 Fiel é esta palavra:

Se já morremos com ele, também viveremos com ele;

12 se perseveramos, também com ele reinaremos;

se o negamos, ele, por sua vez, nos negará;

13 se somos infiéis, ele permanece fiel,

pois de maneira nenhuma pode negar-se a si mesmo.

14 Recomenda estas coisas. Dá testemunho solene a todos perante Deus, para que evitem contendas de palavras que para nada aproveitam, exceto para a subversão dos ouvintes. 15 Procura apresentar-te a Deus aprovado, como obreiro que não tem de que se envergonhar, que maneja bem a palavra da verdade. 16 Evita, igualmente, os falatórios inúteis e profanos, pois os que deles usam passarão a impiedade ainda maior. 17 Além disso, a linguagem deles corrói como câncer; entre os quais se incluem Himeneu e Fileto. 18 Estes se desviaram da verdade, asseverando que a ressurreição já se realizou, e estão pervertendo a fé a alguns. 19 Entretanto, o firme fundamento de Deus permanece, tendo este selo:

O Senhor conhece os que lhe pertencem.

E mais:

Aparte-se da injustiça todo aquele que professa o nome do Senhor.

20 Ora, numa grande casa não há somente utensílios de ouro e de prata; há também de madeira e de barro. Alguns, para honra; outros, porém, para desonra. 21 Assim, pois, se alguém a si mesmo se purificar destes erros, será utensílio para honra, santificado e útil ao seu possuidor, estando preparado para toda boa obra. 22 Foge, outrossim, das paixões da mocidade. Segue a justiça, a fé, o amor e a paz com os que, de coração puro, invocam o Senhor. 23 E repele as questões insensatas e absurdas, pois sabes que só engendram contendas. 24 Ora, é necessário que o servo do Senhor não viva a contender, e sim deve ser brando para com todos, apto para instruir, paciente, 25 disciplinando com mansidão os que se opõem, na expectativa de que Deus lhes conceda não só o arrependimento para conhecerem plenamente a verdade, 26 mas também o retorno à sensatez, livrando-se eles dos laços do diabo, tendo sido feitos cativos por ele para cumprirem a sua vontade.

1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: 9 wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: 12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: 13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. 15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. 16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17 and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; 18 men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work. 22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, 25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,

9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.

10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

14 Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.

21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.