1 T each your people to obey the leaders of their country. They should be ready to do any good work.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2 T hey must not speak bad of anyone, and they must not argue. They should be gentle and kind to all people. God Saved Us from All These Things

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3 T here was a time when we were foolish and did not obey. We were fooled in many ways. Strong desires held us in their power. We wanted only to please ourselves. We wanted what others had and were angry when we could not have them. We hated others and they hated us.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 B ut God, the One Who saves, showed how kind He was and how He loved us

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 b y saving us from the punishment of sin. It was not because we worked to be right with God. It was because of His loving-kindness that He washed our sins away. At the same time He gave us new life when the Holy Spirit came into our lives.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 G od gave the Holy Spirit to fill our lives through Jesus Christ, the One Who saves.

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 B ecause of this, we are made right with God by His loving-favor. Now we can have life that lasts forever as He has promised.

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 W hat I have told you is true. Teach these things all the time so those who have put their trust in God will be careful to do good things. These things are good and will help all men.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

9 D o not argue with people about foolish questions and about the Law. Do not spend time talking about all of your early fathers. This does not help anyone and it is of no use.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10 T alk once or twice to a person who tries to divide people into groups against each other. If he does not stop, have nothing to do with him.

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Y ou can be sure he is going the wrong way. He is sinning and he knows it.

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

12 I will send Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them gets there, try to come to me in the city of Nicopolis. 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 I have determined there to winter.

13 Z enas, the man who knows the law, and Apollos are going on a trip. Do everything you can to help them.

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

14 O ur people must learn to work hard. They must work for what they need and be able to give to others who need help. Then their lives will not be wasted.

And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

15 A ll those with me here greet you. Greet my Christian friends there. May you have God’s loving-favor.

All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.