| English Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, | 1Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. |
| 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. | 2They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. |
| 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. | 3Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. |
| 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, | 4But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, |
| 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 because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. |
| 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, | 6He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. |
| 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. | 7Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit 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 is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. |
| 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. | 9Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. |
| 10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, | 10If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. |
| 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. | 11For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. Paul’s Final Remarks and Greetings |
| 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. | 12I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. |
| 13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. | 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. |
| 14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. | 14Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. |
| 15All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. | 15Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us. May God’s grace be with you all. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
|
