For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Therefore you should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner. But be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God,

You should hold on firmly to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, while [maintaining your] faith and love in [harmony with] Christ Jesus.

And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, you should pass on to trustworthy men who will be able to teach other people also.

Furthermore, it is the hard working farmer who should have the first share of the crops.

If we continue to endure, we shall also share his throne. If we should ever disown him, he, too, will disown us.

However, the solid foundation of God stands firm. [Note: This probably refers to the church. See I Tim. 3:15]. It is sealed with these words [i.e., certifying God's ownership and a commitment to Him]: "The Lord knows those who are His people," [See Num. 16:5], and "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord should stop practicing wickedness." [See Isa. 36:13].

and a Servant of the Lord should never quarrel. He ought, on the contrary, to be courteous to every one, a skillful teacher, and forbearing.

In meekness, bringing under discipline them that oppose themselves, lest at any time God should give them repentance unto a personal knowledge of truth,

And they should wake up to sobriety out of, the adversary's, snare, - though they have been taken alive by him for, that one's, will.

But you should know this: There will be terrible times in the last days [of the Christian age].

[These people] maintain an appearance of being godly, but they have denied its power; [you should] turn away from such people.

and by lending an assiduous ear to such lessons, render it impossible they should ever be acquainted with the truth.

But you should continue [to believe and practice] what you have learned and been convinced of, knowing those from whom you learned it. [Note: These persons would include Lois and Eunice (See 1:5), as well as Paul himself].

But you should be sober-minded about everything, [willing to] endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

You also should beware of him, for he has greatly withstood our words.

notwithstanding the Lord assisted me, and strengthed me, that by me the preaching should be fulfilled to the utmost and that all the gentiles should hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.