2 ¹ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 ² and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 ³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 ⁴ No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. 2 ⁵ An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 2 ⁶ It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 2 ⁷ Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

2 ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, 2 ⁹ the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. 2 ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.
2 ¹¹ The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
2 ¹² if we endure, we shall also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
2 ¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself.