Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus
1 As for you, my son, be strong
through the grace that is ours in
union with Christ Jesus.
2 Take the
teachings that you heard me proclaim
in the presence of many witnesses,
and entrust them to reliable
people, who will be able to teach
others also.
3 Take your part in suffering, as a
loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 A soldier
on active duty wants to please
his commanding officer and so does
not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian
life.
5 An athlete who runs in a
race cannot win the prize unless he
obeys the rules.
6 The farmer who
has done the hard work should have
the first share of the harvest.
7 Think
about what I am saying, because the
Lord will enable you to understand it
all.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, who
was raised from death, who was a
descendant of David, as is taught in
the Good News I preach.
9 Because I
preach the Good News, I suffer and I
am even chained like a criminal. But
the word of God is not in chains,
10 and so I endure everything for the
sake of God's chosen people, in order
that they too may obtain the salvation
that comes through Christ
Jesus and brings eternal glory.
11 This is a true saying:
“If we have died with him,
we shall also live with him.
12
If we continue to endure, note
we shall also rule with him.
If we deny him,
he also will deny us.
13
If we are not faithful,
he remains faithful,
because he cannot be false to himself.”
An Approved Worker
14 Remind your people of this, and
give them a solemn warning in
God's presence not to fight over
-- --
words. It does no good, but only
ruins the people who listen.
15 Do
your best to win full approval in
God's sight, as a worker who is not
ashamed of his work, one who correctly
teaches the message of God's
truth.
16 Keep away from profane
and foolish discussions, which only
drive people farther away from God.
17 Such teaching is like an open sore
that eats away the flesh. Two men
who have taught such things are Hymenaeus
and Philetus.
18 They have
left the way of truth and are upsetting
the faith of some believers by
saying that our resurrection has already
taken place.
19 But the solid
foundation that God has laid cannot
be shaken; and on it are written
these words: “The Lord knows those
who are his” and “Whoever says
that he belongs to the Lord must
turn away from wrongdoing.” note
20 In a large house there are dishes
and bowls of all kinds: some are
made of silver and gold, others of
wood and clay; some are for special
occasions, others for ordinary use.
21 If anyone makes himself clean
from all those evil things, he will be
used for special purposes, because
he is dedicated and useful to his
Master, ready to be used for every
good deed.
22 Avoid the passions of
youth, and strive for righteousness,
faith, love, and peace, together with
those who with a pure heart call out
to the Lord for help.
23 But keep
away from foolish and ignorant arguments;
you know that they end up
in quarrels.
24 The Lord's servant
must not quarrel. He must be kind
toward all, a good and patient
teacher,
25 who is gentle as he corrects
his opponents, for it may be
that God will give them the opportunity
to repent and come to know the
truth.
26 And then they will come to
their senses and escape from the
trap of the Devil, who had caught
them and made them obey his will.
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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