1作基督的精兵
1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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。
2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
3你应当和我同受磨难，好像基督耶稣的精兵。
3You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4当兵的人不让世务缠身，为要使那招兵的人欢喜。
4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
5竞赛的人若不遵守规则，就不能得冠冕。
5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
6劳力的农夫理当先尝果实。
6The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.
7你要想想我的话，因为凡事主必给你领悟力。
7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
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。
8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News,
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。
9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
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。
10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11“我们若与基督同死，就必与他同活；
11This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.
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；
12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.
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。
13If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.”
14作无愧的工人你要在 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。
14Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
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。
15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
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。
16But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,
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。
17and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
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。
18men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
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”。
19However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” Numbers 16:5 and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord TR reads “Christ” instead of “the Lord” depart from unrighteousness.”
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。
20Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.
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。
21If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
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。
22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23你要拒绝愚蠢无知的问难；你知道这些事会引起争论。
23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
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，
24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,
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。
25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
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。
26and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.