| NET Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 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 obey, to be ready for every good work, |
| 2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. | 2to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to 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 too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. |
| 4But "when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, | 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind 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 by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy -- through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. |
| 6whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. | 6He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly 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 may become heirs with 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 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, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. | 9But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. |
| 10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. | 10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, |
| 11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself. | 11knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being 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, make every effort to come to me in 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. | 13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will 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 our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful. |
| 15Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. | 15All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. |
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