He exhorteth him to labour diligently in his office, considering the reward in Christ, and his denial of them that deny him. 14 Not to contend, but to shun heretics: neither to be moved to see some subverted, considering that the elect continue Catholics, and that in the Church be of all sorts. 24 Yet with all sweetness to reclaim the deceived.He exhorteth him to labour diligently in his office, considering the revvard in Christ, and his denial of them that deny him. 14 Not to contend, but to shunne heretikes: neither to be moued to see some subuerted, considering that the elect continue Catholikes, and that in the Church be of al sortes. 24 Yet vvith al svveetnes to reclaime the deceiued.✦
Thou therefore my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus:THOV therfore my sonne, be strong in the grace vvhich is in Christ IESVS:✦Tu ergo fili mi, confortare in gratia, quæ est in Christo Jesu :
2and the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, these commend to faithful men, which shall be fit to teach others also.& the things vvhich thou hast heard of me by many vvitnesses, these comend to faithful men, vvhich shal be fit to teach others also.✦et quæ audisti a me per multos testes, hæc commenda fidelibus hominibus, qui idonei erant et alios docere.
3Labour thou as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.Labour thou as a good souldiar of Christ IESVS.✦Labora sicut bonus miles Christi Jesu.
4No man being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with saecularibus: non-religious, worldly; of this world's affairs and business businesses: that he may please him to whom he hath approved himself.No man being a souldiar to God, intãgleth him self vvith secular businesses: that he may please him to vvhom he hath approoued him self.¶✦Nemo militans Deo implicat se negotiis sæcularibus : ut ei placeat, cui se probavit.
5For he also that striveth for the in agone: skill or dominance; the athletic contest one strives in, is not crowned unless he strive lawfully.For he also that striueth for the maisterie, is not crovvned vnlesse he striue lavvfully.✦Nam et qui certat in agone, non coronatur nisi legitime certaverit.
6The agricolam: a married man; farmer, tiller of the soil that laboureth, must first take of the fruits.The husbandman that laboureth, must first take of the fruites.✦Laborantem agricolam oportet primum de fructibus percipere.
7Understand what I say: for our Lord will give thee in all things understanding.Vnderstand vvhat I say: for our Lord vvil giue thee in al things vnderstanding.✦Intellige quæ dico : dabit enim tibi Dominus in omnibus intellectum.
8Be mindful that our Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Gospel,Be mindeful that our Lord IESVS Christ is risen againe from the dead, of the seede of Dauid, according to my Gospel,✦Memor esto Dominum Jesum Christum resurrexisse a mortuis ex semine David, secundum Evangelium meum,
9wherein I labour even unto vincula: musical groups, or strips; bonds, fetters, as a malefactor: but the word of God is not tied.vvherein I labour euen vnto bandes, as a malefactour: but the vvord of God is not tied.✦in quo laboro usque ad vincula, quasi male operans : sed verbum Dei non est alligatum.
10Therefore I sustain all things for the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.Therfore I sustaine al things for the elect, that they also may obtaine the saluation, vvhich is in Christ IESVS, vvith heauenly glorie.✦Ideo omnia sustineo propter electos, ut et ipsi salutem consequantur, quæ est in Christo Jesu, cum gloria cælesti.
11A faithful saying. For if we be dead with him, we shall live also together.A faithful saying. For if vve be dead vvith him, vve shal liue also together.✦Fidelis sermo : nam si commortui sumus, et convivemus :
12If we shall sustain, we shall also reign together. If we shall deny, he also will deny us:If vve shal sustaine, vve shal also reigne together. *If vve shal deny, he also vvil denie vs:si sustinebimus, et conregnabimus : si negaverimus, et ille negabit nos :
13If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot deny himself.*If vve beleeue not, he continueth faithful, he can not denie him self.✦si non credimus, ille fidelis permanet, negare seipsum non potest.
14These things admonish, certifying before our Lord. Contend not in words, for it is profitable for nothing, but for the subversion of them that hear.These things admonish, certifying before our Lord. Contend not in vvordes, for it is profitable for nothing, but for the subuersion of them that heare.✦Hæc commone, testificans coram Domino. Noli contendere verbis : ad nihil enim utile est, nisi ad subversionem audientium.
15Carefully provide to present thyself approved to God, a workman not to be confounded, rightly handling the word of truth.Carefully prouide to present thy self approued to God, a vvorkeman not to be confounded, rightly handling the vvord of truth.¶✦Sollicite cura teipsum probabilem exhibere Deo, operarium inconfusibilem, recte tractantem verbum veritatis.
16But profane and vain speeches avoid: for they do much grow to impiety:But c profane and vaine speaches auoid: for they doe much grovv to impietie:✦Profana autem et vaniloquia devita : multum enim proficiunt ad impietatem :
17and their speech spreadeth as a cancer: a plant blight, or cold-sore; a spreading ulcer, gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus:& their speache spreadeth as a canker: of vvhom is Hymenæus and Philetus:¶et sermo eorum ut cancer serpit : ex quibus est Hymenæus et Philetus,
18who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is done already, and have subverted the faith of some.vvho haue erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is done already, and haue subuerted the faith of some.✦qui a veritate exciderunt, dicentes resurrectionem esse jam factam, et subverterunt quorumdam fidem.
19But the sure foundation of God standeth, having this seal, Our Lord knoweth who be his, and let every one depart from iniquity that nameth the name of our Lord.But the sure foundation of God standeth, hauing this seale, Our Lord knovveth vvho be his, and let euery one depart from iniquitie that nameth the name of our Lord.✦Sed firmum fundamentum Dei stat, habens signaculum hoc : cognovit Dominus qui sunt ejus, et discedat ab iniquitate omnis qui nominat nomen Domini.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: and certain in deed unto honour, but certain unto contumeliam: insolent abuse; dishonour, ignominy.But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of siluer, but also of vvood and of earth: and certaine in deede vnto honour, but certaine vnto contumelie.¶✦In magna autem domo non solum sunt vasa aurea, et argentea, sed et lignea, et fictilia : et quædam quidem in honorem, quædam autem in contumeliam.
21If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to our Lord, prepared to every good work.If any man therfore shal cleanse him self from these, he shal be a vessel vnto honour, sanctified & profitable to our Lord, prepared to euery good vvorke.¶✦Si quis ergo emundaverit se ab istis, erit vas in honorem sanctificatum, et utile Domino ad omne opus bonum paratum.
22But youthful desires flee: and pursue justice, faith, charity, and peace with them that invocant: call upon, invoke our Lord from a pure heart.But youthful desires flee: and pursue iustice, faith, charitie, & peace vvith them that inuocate our Lord from a pure hart.✦Juvenilia autem desideria fuge, sectare vero justitiam, fidem, spem, caritatem, et pacem cum iis qui invocant Dominum de corde puro.
23And foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they engender brawls.And foolish and vnlearned questiõs auoid, knovving that they ingender braules.✦Stultas autem et sine disciplina quæstiones devita : sciens quia generant lites.
24But the servant of our Lord must not wrangle: but be mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient,But the seruant of our Lord must not vvrangle: but be milde tovvard al men, apt to teache, patient,✦Servum autem Domini non oportet litigare : sed mansuetum esse ad omnes, docibilem, patientem,
25with modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: lest sometime God give them repentance to know the truth:vvith modestie admonishing them that resist the truth: lest sometime God giue them repentance to knovv the truth:cum modestia corripientem eos qui resistunt veritati, nequando Deus det illis pœnitentiam ad cognoscendam veritatem,
26and they recover themselves from the snares of the devil, of whom they are held captive at his will.and they recouer them selues from the snares of the deuil, of vvhom they are held captiue at his vvil.✦et resipiscant a diaboli laqueis, a quo captivi tenentur ad ipsius voluntatem.
Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament
4No man being a soldier. First of all, the Apostle (1 Corinthians 7) maketh marriage and the needful cares, solicitude, and distractions thereupon ever depending, special impediments of all such as should employ themselves wholly to God's service, as Bishops and Priests are bound to do. He that is with a wife (saith he) is careful for the world, how to please his wife, and is distracted or divided. 1 Corinthians 7. Secondly, the practice of Physic, merchandise, or any other profane faculty and trade of life to gather riches, and much more to be given to hunting, hawking, gaming, shows, interludes, or the like pastimes, is here forbidden. Thirdly, the services of Princes and manifold base offices done to them for to obtain dignities and promotions, are disagreeable to Priestly functions: not so, to be their chaplains for this purpose, to preach unto them, to hear their confessions, to minister the Sacraments unto them, to say Divine service before them, and such other spiritual duties. For all such services done to principal persons both of the Clergy and Laity, be godly and consonant to Priestly vocation. As also serving of Princes and Commonwealths in civil causes and matters of state, in making peace and quietness among the people, by deciding or compounding their controversies, and all such like affairs tending to the honour of God and good of men, and to the upholding of true religion, when they may be done without notorious damage or hindrance of their spiritual charge, or when the hurts thereof be abundantly recompensed by the necessary duties done for the general good of kingdom or Country: all such things (I say) be lawful and often very requisite. And St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. Bernard, and other holy Bishops of old were much occupied therein, as we see in St. Augustine's book de opere Monachorum c. 29, and Possidius in vita c. 19.No man being a souldiar. First of al, the Apostle (1. Cor. 7.) maketh mariage & the needful cares, solicitude, and distractions therevpon euer depending, special impediments of al such as should employ them selues vvholy to Gods seruice, as Bishops & Priests are bound to do. He that is vvith a vvife (saith he) is careful for the vvorld, hovv to please his vvife, and is distracted or diuided. 1. Cor. 7. Secondly, the practise of Physicke, merchandise, or any other profane facultie and trade of life to gather riches, and much more to be giuen to hunting, hauking, gameing, sheevves, enterludes, or the like pastimes, is here forbidden. Thirdly, the seruices of Princes and manifold base offices done to them for to obtaine dignities and promotions, are disagreable to Priestly functions: not so, to be their chaplens for this purpose, to preach vnto them, to heare their confessions, to minister the Sacraments vnto them, to say Diuine seruice before them, and such other spiritual ducties. for, al such seruices done to principal persons both of the Clergie and Laitie, be godly and cõsonant to Priestly vocation. As also seruing of Princes and Commonvveales in ciuil causes and matters of state, in making peace and quietnes among the people, by deciding or compounding their controuersies, and al such like affaires tending to the honour of God and good of men, and to the vpholding of true religion, vvhen they may be done vvithout notorious damage or hinderance of their spiritual charge, or vvhen the hurtes thereof be abundantly recompensed by the necessarie dueties done for the general good of kingdom or Countrie: al such things (I say) be lavvful and often very requisite. And S. Augustine, S. Ambrose, S. Bernard, and other holy Bishops of old vvere much occupied therein, as vve see in S. Augustines booke de opere Monachorum c. 29. & Possid. in vit. c. 19.
15Rightly. The Scriptures or charge of the word of God is common to Catholics and Heretics, but all is in the handling of them. These later handle them guilefully, adulterating the word of God, as elsewhere the Apostle speaketh: the other sincerely after the manner of the Apostles and doctors of God's Church. Which the Greek expresseth by a significant word of cutting a thing straight by a line, ὀρθοτομοῦντα.Rightly. The Scriptures or charge of the vvord of God is common to Catholikes and Heretikes, but al is in the handling of them. these later handle them guilefully, adulterating the vvord of God, as els vvhere the Apostle speaketh: the other sincerely after the maner of the Apostles and doctors of Gods Church. Vvhich the Greeke expresseth by a significant vvord of cutting a thing straight by a line, ὀρθοτομοῦντα.
17Their speech. The speeches, preachings, and writings of Heretics be pestiferous, contagious, and creeping like a canker. Therefore Christian men must never hear their sermons nor read their books. For such men have a popular way of talk whereby the unlearned, and specially women laden with sin, are easily beguiled. Nothing is so easy (saith St. Jerome) as with voluble and rolling tongue to deceive the rude people, which admire whatsoever they understand not. Epistle 2 ad Nepotianum c. 10.Their speache. The speaches, preachings, and vvritings of Heretikes be pestiferous, cõtagious, and creeping like a canker. therfore Christian men must neuer heare their sermons nor read their bookes. For such men haue a popular vvay of talke vvhereby the vnlearned, and specially vvomen loden vvith sinne, are easily beguiled. Nothing is so easy (saith S. Hierom) as vvith voluble and rolling tong to deceiue the rude people, vvhich admire vvhatsoeuer they vnderstand not. Ep. 2. ad Nepot. c. 10.
20In a great house. He meaneth not that Hymenæus and Philetus (of whom he spake immediately before) or other heretics, be properly within the Church, as Catholic men are, though grievous sinners: but that evil men who for the punishment of their sins become heretics, were before they fell from their faith as vessels of contumely, within the Church. Yea and often also after they be severed in heart and in the sight of God, so long as they stand in external profession and use of the same Sacraments, and in the outward fellowship of Catholics, not yet either separated of themselves, nor cast out by the governors of the Church, so long (we say) they be after a sort in the Church: though properly and in deed they be out of the compass of God's house. Marry, of those that are openly severed in Sacraments, Service, and communion, there is no question but they are out of the Church.In a great house. He meaneth not that Hymenæus and Philetus (of vvhõ he spake immediatly before) or other heretikes, be properly vvithin the Church, as catholike men are, though greuous sinners: but that euil men vvho for the punishment of their sinnes become heretikes, vvere before they fell from their faith as vessels of contumelie, vvithin the Church. Yea and often also after they be seuered in hart and in the sight of God, so long as they stand in external profession and vse of the same Sacraments, and in the outvvard fellovvship of Catholikes, not yet either separated of them selues, nor cast out by the gouernours of the Church, so long (vve say) they be after a sort in the Church: though properly and in deede they be out of the compasse of Gods house. Mary of those that are openly seuered in Sacraments, Seruice, and communion, there is no question but they are out of the Church.
21Cleanse himself. Man then hath free will to make himself a vessel of salvation or damnation: though salvation be attributed to God's mercy principally, the other to his just judgement: neither of both being repugnant to our free will, but working with and by the same, all such effects as are agreeable to his providence and our deserts.Cleanse him self. Man then hath free vvil to make him self a vessel of saluation or damnation: though saluation be attributed to Gods mercie principally, the other to his iust iudgement: neither of both being repugnant to our free vvil, but vvorking vvith and by the same, al such effectes as are agreable to his prouidence and our deserts.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.