2 Timothy 2 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

So, my child, let the undeserved kindness that comes through the One, Jesus, make you strong.

And everything you've heard me teach in front of many witnesses — hand that down to people you can trust, the kind of people who will be able to teach others too.

Take your share of suffering like a good soldier of the One, Jesus.

No one serving in the military gets tangled up in everyday civilian affairs — the goal is to please the commanding officer.

And if someone competes as an athlete, they don't win the prize unless they play by the rules.

The farmer who does the hard work should be the first to get a share of the harvest.

Think about what I'm saying — the Master will give you understanding in all of this.

Remember: Jesus, the One — raised from death, descended from David. That's the good news I spread.

It's because of this good news that I'm suffering, chained up like a criminal. But you can't chain up God's message.

That's why I endure all of this — for the sake of the ones God has chosen, so they can experience the rescue that comes through the One, Jesus, along with limitless glory.

Here's a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we'll also live with him.

If we keep enduring, we'll also rule with him. If we deny him, he'll deny us too.

If we're unfaithful, he stays faithful — he can't be anything other than what he is.

Keep reminding people of these things. Warn them before God not to fight over words — it does nothing useful and only tears down the people listening.

Do your best to present yourself to God as someone who has been tested and approved — a worker with nothing to be embarrassed about, someone who handles the message of truth the right way.

Stay away from pointless, empty talk that wanders further and further from God.

That kind of talk spreads like an infected wound. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two examples —

they've wandered away from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened, and they're wrecking some people's trust.

But here's the thing: God's solid foundation still stands, and it has this inscription stamped on it: "The Master knows who belongs to him," and "Everyone who claims the Master's name must walk away from doing wrong."

In any large household, there aren't just gold and silver dishes — there are also wood and clay ones. Some are for special occasions, others for everyday use.

So if someone cleans themselves up from all that, they'll be like those special dishes — set apart, useful to the Master, ready for every good thing.

Run away from the cravings that come with being young. Instead, chase after what is right, trust, love, and peace — alongside everyone who calls on the Master with an uncorrupted heart.

Don't get sucked into stupid arguments that go nowhere — you know they just produce fights.

And someone who serves the Master shouldn't be a fighter. Instead, they should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, and patient when wronged.

They should gently correct people who push back, hoping that God will give those people a change of mind so they come to recognize the truth.

Then they can come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who had captured them to do his bidding.