| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, | 1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. |
| 2to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. | 2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. |
| 3For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. | 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. |
| 4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, | 4But "when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, |
| 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, | 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, |
| 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, | 6whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. |
| 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. | 7And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life." |
| 8This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. | 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. |
| 9But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. | 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. |
| 10Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, | 10Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. |
| 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. | 11You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself. |
| 12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. | 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. |
| 13Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. | 13Make every effort to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; make sure they have what they need. |
| 14And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. | 14Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful. |
| 15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. | 15Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. |
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