English Standard Version ESV
New King James Version NKJV
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
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Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
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to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
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For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
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But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
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not 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,
6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
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whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
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This 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.
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
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But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
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Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
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knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
12 When 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.
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When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
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Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.
14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
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And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
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All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.