| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. | 1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, |
| 2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. | 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward 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. | 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived 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 and love 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 righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, |
| 6whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. | 6whom he poured out on us generously 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 might become heirs having 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 is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. |
| 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. | 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. |
| 10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. | 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. |
| 11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself. | 11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are 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, do your best 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 everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they 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. | 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. |
| 15Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. | 15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. |
|
