I thank God, whom I, like my forefathers, worship with a clear conscience, when I remember you, as I constantly do, in my prayers.

So you must not be ashamed to testify to our Lord, nor be ashamed of me who am in prison for his sake, but join with me in suffering for the good news, through the power of God.

This is why I am suffering as I am, but I am not ashamed of it, for I know whom I have trusted and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have intrusted to him for that Day.

The things you learned from me before many witnesses you must commit to trustworthy men who will be capable of teaching others.

Anyone who is in the army keeps from being involved in business affairs, so as to please the officer who enlisted him.

No one who competes in the games is awarded a crown unless he obeys the rules.

The farmer who does the work ought to be the first to have some of the produce.

For that reason I am ready to submit to anything for the sake of those whom God has chosen, so that they too may gain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory.

Remind men of these things. Charge them before God to avoid idle arguments which do no one any good and only bring destruction on those who listen to them.

Do your best to win God's approval as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of, but rightly shapes the message of truth.

who have missed the truth and say that the resurrection has taken place already, thus undermining people's faith.

Yet God's solid foundation stands unshaken, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who belong to him," and "Everyone who uses the name of the Lord must give up evil."

Fly from the cravings of youth, and go in pursuit of uprightness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who call upon the Lord with pure hearts.

and they may yet return to their senses and escape from the toils of the devil, who has caught them to make them do his will.

They are the kind of men who make their way into people's houses and make captives of poor, weak women, loaded down with their sins and under the control of all sorts of impulses,

But everyone who wants to live a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

But you must stand by what you have learned and been convinced of, and remember from whom you learned it,

I charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,

Now the crown of uprightness awaits me, which the Lord, the upright judge, will award me on that Day, and not only me but also all who have loved and hoped for his appearing.