2:1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 And entrust what you heard me say 1 in the presence of many others as witnesses 2 to faithful people 3 who will be competent 4 to teach others as well. 2:3 Take your share of suffering 5 as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please 6 the one who recruited him. 2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner 7 unless he competes according to the rules. 8 2:6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 2:7 Think about what I am saying and 9 the Lord will give you understanding of all this. 10
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; 11 such is my gospel, 12 2:9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment 13 as a criminal, but God’s message 14 is not imprisoned! 15