Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.

And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned!

May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.

Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.