⁶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh ^(A)the gift of God which is in you through ^(B)the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a ^(C)spirit of ^[a]timidity, but of power and love and ^[b]discipline.

⁸ Therefore ^(D)do not be ashamed of the ^(E)testimony of our Lord or of me ^(F)His prisoner, but join with me in ^(G)suffering for the ^(H)gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who ^(I)saved us and ^(J)called us with a holy ^(K)calling, ^(L)not according to our works, but according to His own ^(M)purpose and grace, which was granted to us in ^(N)Christ Jesus from ^(O)all eternity, ¹⁰ but has ^(P)now been revealed by the ^(Q)appearing of our Savior ^(R)Christ Jesus, who ^(S)abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ^11 (T)for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; but ^(U)I am not ashamed, for I know ^(V)whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to ^(W)protect what I have entrusted to Him ^[c]until ^(X)that day. ^13 (Y)Hold on to the ^(Z)example of ^(AA)sound words ^(AB)which you have heard from me, in the ^(AC)faith and love which are in ^(AD)Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Protect, through the Holy Spirit who ^(AE)dwells in us, the ^[d](AF)treasure which has been entrusted to you.

Be Strong

2 You therefore, my ^[a](A)son, ^(B)be strong in the grace that is in ^(C)Christ Jesus. ² The things ^(D)which you have heard from me in the presence of ^(E)many witnesses, ^(F)entrust these to ^(G)faithful ^[b]people who will be ^(H)able to teach others also. ^3 (I)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(J)soldier of ^(K)Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service ^(L)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise ^(M)competes as an athlete, he is not ^[c]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ^6 (N)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(O)risen from the dead, ^(P)descendant of David, ^(Q)according to my gospel, ^9 [d]for which I ^(R)suffer hardship even to ^(S)imprisonment as a ^(T)criminal; but ^(U)the word of God ^(V)is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason ^(W)I endure all things for ^(X)the sake of ^[e]those who are chosen, ^(Y)so that they also may obtain the ^(Z)salvation which is in ^(AA)Christ Jesus and with it ^(AB)eternal glory. ^11 (AC)The statement is trustworthy:

An Unashamed Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(AI)exhort them in the presence of God not to ^(AJ)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(AK)present yourself approved to God as a worker who ^[g]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(AL)the word of truth.