| NET Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. | 1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, |
| 2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. | 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. |
| 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 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. |
| 4But "when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, | 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior 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 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, |
| 6whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. | 6whom he poured out on us richly 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 being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to 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. | 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. |
| 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. | 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. |
| 10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. | 10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, |
| 11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself. | 11knowing that such a person is warped 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. | 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. |
| 13Make every effort to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; make sure they have what they need. | 13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. |
| 14Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful. | 14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and 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 greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. |
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