A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ |
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Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
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And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
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Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
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And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.
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Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
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¶ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel:
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wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
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Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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It is a faithful saying:
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For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: |
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if we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
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if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful:
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An Approved Workman |
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¶ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
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Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
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And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymene'us and Phile'tus;
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who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
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Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
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¶ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
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If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
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Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
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And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;
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in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
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and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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