A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

2 Yoʋ then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Entrust what yoʋ have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses to faithful men who will be competent to teach others also. 3 Endure [fn]hardship as a good soldier of [fn]Jesus Christ. 4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of civilian life, since he seeks to please the one who enlisted him. 5 Similarly, an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to receive the first share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am [fn]saying. May the Lord give yoʋ understanding in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, the offspring of David, who was raised from the dead according to my gospel. 9 For this gospel I suffer to the point of being chained like a criminal, but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

12 if we endure,

we will also reign with him;

if we deny him,

he will also deny us;

13 if we are unfaithful,

he remains faithful;

[fn]he cannot deny himself.