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

Recuérdales que estén sujetos a los gobernantes, a las autoridades; que sean obedientes, que estén preparados para toda buena obra.

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

Que no injurien a nadie, que no sean contenciosos, sino amables, mostrando toda consideración para con todos los hombres.

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.

Porque nosotros también en otro tiempo éramos necios, desobedientes, extraviados, esclavos de deleites y placeres diversos, viviendo en malicia y envidia, aborrecibles y odiándonos unos a otros.

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

Pero cuando se manifestó la bondad de Dios nuestro Salvador, y Su amor hacia la humanidad,

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.

El nos salvó, no por las obras de justicia que nosotros hubiéramos hecho, sino conforme a Su misericordia, por medio del lavamiento de la regeneración y la renovación por el Espíritu Santo,

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

que El derramó sobre nosotros abundantemente por medio de Jesucristo nuestro Salvador,

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.

para que justificados por Su gracia fuéramos hechos herederos según la esperanza de la vida eterna.

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.

Palabra fiel es ésta; y en cuanto a estas cosas quiero que hables con firmeza (confianza), para que los que han creído en Dios procuren ocuparse en buenas obras. Estas cosas son buenas y útiles para los hombres.

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.

Pero evita controversias necias, genealogías, contiendas y discusiones acerca de la Ley, porque son sin provecho y sin valor.

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.

Al hombre que cause divisiones, después de la primera y segunda amonestación, recházalo,

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

sabiendo que el tal es perverso y está pecando, habiéndose condenado a sí mismo. Recomendaciones Finales y Bendición

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.

Cuando te envíe a Artemas o a Tíquico, procura venir a verme en Nicópolis, porque he decidido pasar allí el invierno.

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

Encamina con diligencia a Zenas, intérprete de la ley, y a Apolos, para que nada les falte.

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.

Y que los nuestros aprendan a ocuparse en buenas obras, atendiendo a las necesidades apremiantes, para que no estén sin fruto.

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

Todos los que están conmigo te saludan. Saluda a los que nos aman en la fe. La gracia sea con todos ustedes.