| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Remind believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work. | 1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, |
| 2They are not to insult anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and perfectly courteous to everyone. | 2to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. |
| 3After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another. | 3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. |
| 4In grace our Savior God appeared, to make his love for mankind clear. | 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, |
| 5Twas not for deeds that we had done, but by his steadfast love alone, he saved us through a second birth, renewed us by the Spirit's work, | 5He saved us-- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy -- through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. |
| 6and poured him out upon us, too, through Jesus the Messiah our Savior true. | 6He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior |
| 7And so, made heirs by his own grace, eternal life we now embrace. | 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. |
| 8This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people. | 8This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. |
| 9But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless. | 9But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. |
| 10Have nothing to do with a divisive person after you have warned him once or twice. | 10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, |
| 11For you know that a person like this is corrupt and keeps on sinning, being self-condemned. | 11knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. |
| 12As soon as I send Artemas to you, or perhaps Tychicus, 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, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. |
| 13Do all you can to send Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on their way, and see that they have everything they need. | 13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing. |
| 14Our own people should also learn to make good deeds a priority when urgent needs arise, so they won't be unproductive. | 14And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful. |
| 15All who are with me send you greetings. Greet our fellow believers who love us. May grace be with all of you! Amen. Greetings | 15All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. |
|
