Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way.
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Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to every good work,
2 Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone.
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to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them.
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For we 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 kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed,
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But when the kindness of God, our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared,
5 he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.
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not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior,
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which he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ, our Savior;
7 so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.
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that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a true saying. I want you to give special emphasis to these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds, which are good and useful for everyone.
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This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
9 But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless.
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but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them.
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Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;
11 You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.
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knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me in Nicopolis, because 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 to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
13 Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos to get started on their travels, and see to it that they have everything they need.
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Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing may be lacking for them.
14 Our people must learn to spend their time doing good, in order to provide for real needs; they should not live useless lives.
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Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send you greetings. Give our greetings to our friends in the faith. God's grace be with you all.
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All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.