1 R emind people to be submissive to magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work,

Remind them to be subject to principalities and authorities, to obey rule, unto every good work to be ready,

2 T o slander or abuse or speak evil of no one, to avoid being contentious, to be forbearing (yielding, gentle, and conciliatory), and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody.

of no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome -- gentle, showing all meekness to all men,

3 F or we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another.

for we were once -- also we -- thoughtless, disobedient, led astray, serving desires and pleasures manifold, in malice and envy living, odious -- hating one another;

4 B ut when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man appeared,

and when the kindness and the love to men of God our Saviour did appear

5 H e saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by cleansing of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

(not by works that in righteousness that we did but according to His kindness,) He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6 W hich He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

which He poured upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour,

7 t hat we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved),, and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to hope.

that having been declared righteous by His grace, heirs we may become according to the hope of life age-during.

8 T his message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such things are excellent and right, but good and profitable for the people.

Stedfast the word; and concerning these things I counsel thee to affirm fully, that they may be thoughtful, to be leading in good works -- who have believed God; these are the good and profitable things to men,

9 B ut avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

and foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about law, stand away from -- for they are unprofitable and vain.

10 a man who is factious, after admonishing him a first and second time, reject,

A sectarian man, after a first and second admonition be rejecting,

11 W ell aware that such a person has utterly changed (is perverted and corrupted); he goes on sinning is convicted of guilt and self-condemned.

having known that he hath been subverted who such, and doth sin, being self-condemned.

12 W hen I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, lose no time but make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for there to winter I have determined.

13 D o your utmost to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they want for (lack) nothing.

Zenas the lawyer and Apollos bring diligently on their way, that nothing to them may be lacking,

14 A nd let our own learn to apply themselves to good deeds (to honest labor and honorable employment), so that they may be able to meet necessary demands whenever the occasion may require and not be living idle and uncultivated and unfruitful lives.

and let them learn -- ours also -- to be leading in good works to the necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

15 A ll who are with me wish to be remembered to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace (God’s favor and blessing) be with you all. Amen (so be it).

Salute thee do all those with me; salute those loving us in faith; the grace with you all!