2 Timothy 2 / 4
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(A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus)
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
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and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
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Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
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An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
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It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
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Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
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Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
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for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
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Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
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if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
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if we are faithless, he remains faithful--
for he cannot deny himself.
- 14(A Worker Approved by God)
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
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But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
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and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
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But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
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Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
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Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
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So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
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Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
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And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
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correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
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and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.