| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 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 the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. |
| 2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. | 2They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility 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. | 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 kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, | 4But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, |
| 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 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 in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. | 6He generously poured out the Spirit upon us 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." | 7Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit 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 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, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. | 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. |
| 10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. | 10If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. |
| 11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself. | 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. |
| 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 with their trip. See that they are given 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 do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. |
| 15Everyone with me greets 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. |
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