| NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. | 1Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, |
| 2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. | 2to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. |
| 3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. | 3For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. |
| 4But "when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, | 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, |
| 5he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, | 5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. |
| 6whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. | 6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, |
| 7And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life." | 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. |
| 8This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people. | 8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people. |
| 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. | 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. |
| 10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. | 10Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, |
| 11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself. | 11knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is 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. | 12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. |
| 13Make every effort to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; make sure they have what they need. | 13Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need. |
| 14Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful. | 14And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful. |
| 15Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. | 15All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. |
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