| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and 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 malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. | 2They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. |
| 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. | 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 the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by 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. |
| 6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, | 6He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. |
| 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with 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. |
| 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. | 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, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless 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. |
| 10Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, | 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 man is corrupt 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 |
| 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. | 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 equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need. | 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. |
| 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. | 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 you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. | 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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