1 REMIND them to be submissive to ruling authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

2 to speak abusively to no one, to be peaceable, to be fair, showing all gentleness toward all men.

3 For we ourselves were once thoughtless, disobedient, astray, enslaved to passions and various pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness of our Savior, God, and his love to men appeared,

5 "not because of works that we had done in righteousness, but out of his own mercy he saved us through the bath of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit

6 which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 that we might be declared righteous by his grace and become heirs with the hope of life eternal."

8 That is a trustworthy saying. I wish you to insist on these things so that those who have put their faith in God may give earnest attention to honorable work. These things are honorable and also useful to men.

9 But avoid foolish disputes and genealogies and strife and quarrels about the Law; for they are unprofitable and futile.

10 If a man is factious, after one or two warnings, have nothing more to do with him,

11 knowing that such a one is perverted and goes on sinning though self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you or Tychicus, try to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to pass the winter there.

13 Do your best in helping Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos forward on their journey so that they may lack nothing.

14 Our people too must learn to give attention to honorable work, so as to be able to meet pressing needs, that they may not be fruitless.

15 All who are with me send you their greetings. Give our greetings to those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.