Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha. And those (doctrines) which thou hast heard from me by many witnesses, them commit to faithful men, who are also able to teach others. And endure evils as a good soldier of Jeshu Meshiha.
II. 2:4
No man serveth as a soldier, and entangleth himself with the affairs of the world, that he might please him who hath chosen him. And if one contendeth, he is not crowned, unless according to his law he contend. It becometh the husbandman who laboureth that he should first eat of his fruits. Understand what I say to thee. Our Lord give thee wisdom in all things.
Remember Jeshu Meshiha, that he arose from among the dead, he who is of the seed of David, according to my gospel; for which I endure evils unto bonds, as an evil-doer: but the word of Aloha is not bound. Therefore I endure every thing on account of the elect, that they also may find salvation in Jeshu Meshiha, with the glory that is eternal.
Faithful is the word:
For if we be dead with him,
With him also we shall live;
And if we endure,
We shall also reign with him;
But, if we deny him,
He also will deny us !
And if we believe him not,
He in his faithfulness abideth;
For deny himself he cannot.
Of these (truths) remind them, and testify before our Lord, that they contend not with unprofitable words, to the overturning of those who hear them. And be careful to establish thyself perfectly before Aloha, a workman without shame, preaching rightly the word of truth. From vain words which have no utility in them withdraw; for they add greatly to the wickedness of those who are occupied with them. And their words as an eating cancer will lay hold upon many: but one of them is Hymeneos, and another Philetos, who have erred from the truth, saying, that the resurrection of the dead hath been, and the faith of some overturning. But the true foundation of Aloha standeth; and it hath this signature: And the Lord knoweth them who are his. And, Let every one who invoketh the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.
But in a great house there are not vessels of gold only or of silver, but also of wood, also of clay: of them (some are) to honour, and of them (some) to dishonour. If a man then purify himself from these, he will be a pure vessel unto honour, fitted for the use of his Lord, and prepared for every good work. From all the lusts of youth escape; and pursue 3 after righteousness, and faith, and charity, and peace, with them who call upon the Lord with a pure heart. From foolish controversies which are without instruction withdraw; for thou knowest that they beget strifes.4 But a servant of the Lord oweth not to strive,5 but to be gentle towards every man, and teaching, and long-suffering, that he may instruct them who would contend against him with meekness, if by any means Aloha may give them conversion, and they may acknowledge the truth, and be mindful of themselves, and remove from the snare of Satana, by whom they have been entrapped at his will.
3 Or, run after.
4 Fightings.
5 Fight.
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