1 Thou therefore, my child, be strong in the grace which {is} in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also.

3 Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And if also any one contend {in the games}, he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully.

6 The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits.

7 Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ raised from among {the} dead, of {the} seed of David, according to my glad tidings,

9 in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound.

10 For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that *they* also may obtain the salvation which {is} in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 The word {is} faithful; for if we have died together with {him}, we shall also live together;

12 if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, *he* also will deny us;

13 if we are unfaithful, *he* abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers.

15 Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth.

16 But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety,

17 and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 {men} who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, {The} Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of {the} Lord withdraw from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, {in separating himself from them}, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.

24 And a bondman of {the} Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing;

25 in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of {the} truth,

26 and that they may awake up out of the snare of the devil, {who are} taken by him, for *his* will.

1 所以， 我儿啊， 你应当在基督耶稣的恩典里刚强起来，

2 又应当把你在许多见证人面前从我这里听见的， 交托给那些又忠心又能够教导别人的人。

3 你应当和我同受磨难， 好像基督耶稣的精兵。

4 当兵的人不让世务缠身， 为要使那招兵的人欢喜。

5 竞赛的人若不遵守规则， 就不能得冠冕。

6 劳力的农夫理当先尝果实。

7 你要想想我的话， 因为凡事主必给你领悟力。

8 你要记得那从死人中复活的耶稣基督， 他是大卫的后裔所生的， 这就是我所传的福音。

9 我为了这福音受了磨难， 甚至像犯人一样被捆绑起来； 可是， 神的话却不被捆绑。

10 因此， 我为了选民忍受一切， 好叫他们也可以得着在基督耶稣里的救恩， 和永远的荣耀。

11 "我们若与基督同死， 就必与他同活；

12 我们若能坚忍， 就必与他一同作王； 我们若不认他， 他必不认我们；

13 我们纵然不信， 他仍然是信实的， 因为他不能否定自己。"这话是可信的。

14 你要在 神面前把这些事提醒众人， 叮嘱他们不要作无益的争辩； 这只能败坏听见的人。

15 你应当竭力在 神面前作一个蒙称许、无愧的工人， 正确地讲解真理的道。

16 总要远避世俗的空谈， 因为这些必会引人进到更不敬虔的地步。

17 他们的话好像毒瘤一样蔓延； 他们当中有许米乃和腓理徒。

18 他们偏离了真道， 说复活的事已经过去了， 于是毁坏了一些人的信心。

19 然而， 神坚固的根基已经立定， 上面刻着这样的印： "主认识属于他的人"和"凡称呼主名的人都应当离开不义"。

20 在富贵人的家里（"富贵人的家里"原文作"大房子"）， 不但有金器、银器， 也有木器、瓦器； 有贵重的， 也有卑贱的。

21 人若自洁， 离开卑贱的事， 就必作贵重的器皿， 成为圣洁， 合主使用， 预备行各样的善事。

22 你应当逃避年轻人的私欲， 要和那些以清洁的心求告主的人， 一同追求公义、信心、爱心、和平。

23 你要拒绝愚蠢无知的问难； 你知道这些事会引起争论。

24 但主的仆人却不可争论， 总要待人温和， 善于教导， 存心忍耐，

25 以温柔劝导那些对抗的人， 或许 神给他们悔改的心， 可以认识真理。

26 他们虽然曾经被魔鬼掳去， 随从他的意思而行， 或许也能醒悟过来， 脱离魔鬼的陷阱。