| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, | 1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, |
| 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. | 2to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. |
| 3For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. | 3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. |
| 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, | 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, |
| 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, | 5He saved us-- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy -- through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. |
| 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, | 6He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior |
| 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. | 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. |
| 8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. | 8This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. |
| 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. | 9But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. |
| 10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, | 10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, |
| 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. | 11knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. |
| 12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. | 12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. |
| 13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. | 13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing. |
| 14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. | 14And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful. |
| 15All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. | 15All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. |
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