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1.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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2.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
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3.
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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4.
No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.
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5.
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
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6.
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
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7.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
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8.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
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9.
for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
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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.
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11.
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
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12.
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
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13.
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
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14.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
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15.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
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16.
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
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17.
Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
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18.
who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
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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."
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20.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
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21.
If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
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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.
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23.
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
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24.
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
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25.
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
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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.
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