2. You and many others have heard what I have taught. You should teach the same thing to some people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach it to others.
3. Share in the troubles that we have. Accept them like a true soldier of Christ Jesus.
4. A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not waste his time doing the things that most people do.
5. If an athlete is running a race, he must obey all the rules in order to win.
6. The farmer who works hard should be the first person to get some of the food that he grew.
7. Think about these things that I am saying. The Lord will give you the ability to understand all these things.
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 preach,
9. and I am suffering because of that Good News. I am even bound with chains like a criminal. But God’s teaching is not in chains.
10. So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this so that those whom God has chosen can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With that salvation comes glory that never ends.
11. This teaching is true:If we died with him,then we will also live with him.
12. If we accept suffering,then we will also rule with him.If we say we don’t know him,then he will say he doesn’t know us.
13. If we are not faithful,he will still be faithful,because he must be true to who he is.
14. Continue teaching these things. And warn people before God not to argue about words. Arguing about words does not help anyone, and it ruins those who listen.