« | 2 Timothy 2 | » |
1 Timothy, you are a son to me. Be strong in the grace that we have because we belong to Christ Jesus.
2 What you have heard me teach publicly you should teach to others. Share these teachings with people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach others these same things.
3 As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, accept your share of the troubles we have.
4 A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty.
5 Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win.
6 It is the farmer who works hard that deserves the first part of the harvest.
7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand it all.
8 Remember Jesus Christ. He is from the family of David. After Jesus died, he was raised from death. This is the Good News that I tell people.
9 And because I tell that message, I am suffering. I am even bound with chains like someone who has really done wrong. But God's message is not bound.
10 So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this to help the people God has chosen so that they can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With this salvation comes glory that never ends.
11 Here is a true statement: If we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we remain faithful even in suffering, we will also rule with him. If we refuse to say we know him, he will refuse to say he knows us.
13 If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful, because he cannot be false to himself.
14 Keep on telling everyone these truths. And warn them before God not to argue about words. Such arguments don't help anyone, and they ruin those who listen to them.
15 Do your best to be the kind of person God will accept, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way.
16 Stay away from people who talk about useless things that are not from God. That kind of talk will lead a person more and more against God.
17 Their evil teaching will spread like a sickness inside the body. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men like that.
18 They have left the true teaching. They say that the day when people will be raised from death has already come and gone. And they are destroying the faith of some people.
19 But God's strong foundation never moves, and these words are written on it: "The Lord knows those who belong to him." Also, these words are written there: "Everyone who says they believe in the Lord must stop doing wrong."
20 In a large house there are things made of gold and silver. But there are also things made of wood and clay. Some of these are used for special purposes, others for ordinary jobs.
21 The Lord wants to use you for special purposes, so make yourself clean from all evil. Then you will be holy, and the Master can use you. You will be ready for any good work.
22 Stay away from the evil things a young person like you typically wants to do. Do your best to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with others who trust in the Lord with pure hearts.
23 Stay away from foolish and stupid arguments. You know that these arguments grow into bigger arguments.
24 As a servant of the Lord, you must not argue. You must be kind to everyone. You must be a good teacher, and you must be patient.
25 You must gently teach those who don't agree with you. Maybe God will let them change their hearts so that they can accept the truth.
26 The devil has trapped them and now makes them do what he wants. But maybe they can wake up to see what is happening and free themselves from the devil's trap.
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.