2 Timothy 2:9 - Easy To Read Version And I am suffering because I tell that Good News. I am even bound with chains like a person who has really done wrong. But God’s teaching is not bound. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned! American Standard Version (1901) wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. Common English Bible This is the reason I’m suffering to the point that I’m in prison like a common criminal. But God’s word cannot be imprisoned. Catholic Public Domain Version I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer; but the word of God is not bound. |
The commander went to Paul and arrested him. The commander told his soldiers to tie Paul with two chains. Then the commander asked, “Who is this man? What has he done wrong?”
Paul told people about the kingdom of God. He taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very bold (brave), and no one tried to stop him from speaking.
So I (Paul) am a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am a prisoner for you people who are not Jews.
But those other people preach about Christ because they are selfish. Their reason for preaching is wrong. They want to make trouble for me in prison.
And I know that I am right to think like this about all of you. I am sure because I have you in my heart—I feel very close to you. I feel close to you because all of you share in God’s grace (kindness) with me. You share in God’s grace with me while I am in prison, while I am defending the Good News, {\cf2\super [5]} and while I am proving the truth of the Good News.
I say hello and write this with my own hand—Paul. Remember me in prison. God’s grace (kindness) be with you.
Also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. {\cf2\super [20]} I am in prison for doing this. But pray that we can continue to tell people the secret truth that God has made known about Christ.
The Lord’s teaching spread from you in Macedonia and Achaia. And also your faith in God has become known everywhere. So we don’t need to say anything about your faith.
And now, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s teaching will continue to spread quickly. And pray that people will give honor to that teaching, the same as happened with you.
And I suffer now because I tell that Good News. But I am not ashamed. I know the One (Jesus) that I have believed. I am sure that he is able to protect the things that he has trusted me with until that Day. {\cf2\super [8]}
I pray that the Lord will show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus. Many times Onesiphorus encouraged me. He was not ashamed that I was in prison.
So don’t be ashamed to tell people about our Lord \{Jesus\}. And don’t be ashamed of me—I am in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. {\cf2\super [5]} God gives us the strength to do that.
Share in the troubles that we have. Accept those troubles like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
But the Lord stayed with me. The Lord gave me strength so that I could tell the Good News {\cf2\super [23]} everywhere. The Lord wanted all the non-Jews to hear that Good News. So I was saved from the lion’s (enemy’s) mouth.
People who don’t believe are living all around you. Those people may say that you are doing wrong. So live good lives. Then they will see the good things you do, and they will give glory to God on that day when he comes.
And obey the leaders who are sent by the king. They are sent to punish people who do wrong and to praise those people who do good.
But answer those people in a gentle way with respect. Always be able to feel that you are doing right. When you do that, the people who say bad things about you will be made ashamed. They say these bad things about the good way you live in Christ. They will be made ashamed for the bad things they said about you.
Don’t be like a criminal or a person who kills, steals, or bothers other people. A person will suffer for doing those things. None of you should ever suffer like that.