基督耶稣的精兵
我儿啊，你要在基督耶稣的恩典上刚强起来。
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2你在许多见证人面前听见我所教导的，也要交托给那忠心而又能教导别人的人。And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3你要和我同受苦难，作基督耶稣的精兵。Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4凡当兵的，不让世务缠身，好使那招他当兵的人喜悦。No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5运动员在比赛的时候，不按规则就不能得冠冕。And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6勤劳的农夫理当先得粮食。The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7我所说的话，你要考虑，因为主必在凡事上给你聪明。Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8要记得耶稣基督，他是大卫的后裔，从死人中复活；这就是我所传的福音。Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9我为这福音受苦难，甚至像犯人一样被捆绑，然而神的话没有被捆绑。Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10所以，我为了选民事事忍耐，为使他们也能得到那在基督耶稣里的救恩和永远的荣耀。Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11这话是可信的： 我们若与基督同死，也必与他同活；It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12我们若忍耐到底，也必和他一同作王。 我们若不认他，他也必不认我们；If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13我们纵然失信，他仍是可信的， 因为他不能否认自己。无愧的工人
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14你要向众人提醒这些事，在神☛“神”：有古卷是“主”。面前嘱咐他们不可在言词上争辩；这是没有益处的，只能伤害听的人。Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15你当竭力在神面前作一个经得起考验、无愧的工人，按着正意讲解真理的话。Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16要远避世俗的空谈，因为这等空谈会使人进到更不敬虔的地步。But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17他们的话如同毒疮越烂越大；其中有许米乃和腓理徒，And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18他们偏离了真理，说复活的事已过去，败坏了好些人的信心。Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19然而，神坚固的根基屹立不移；上面有这印记说：“主认得他自己的人”，又说：“凡称呼主名的人总要离开不义。”Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20大户人家不但有金器银器，也有木器瓦器；有作为贵重之用的，有作为卑贱之用的。But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21人若自洁，脱离卑贱的事，必成为贵重的器皿，成为圣洁，合乎主用，预备行各样的善事。If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22你要逃避年轻人的私欲，同那以纯洁的心求告主的人追求公义、信实、仁爱、和平。Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23但要弃绝那愚拙无知的辩论，因为你知道这等事只会引起争辩。But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24主的仆人不可争辩，只要温和待人，善于教导，恒心忍耐，And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25用温柔劝导反对的人。也许神会给他们悔改的心能明白真理，In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26让他们这些已被魔鬼掳去顺从他诡计的人能醒悟过来，脱离他的罗网。And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.