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

Recuérdales que se sometan a los gobernantes y a las autoridades, que obedezcan, 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 a nadie difamen, que no sean pendencieros, sino amables, mostrando toda mansedumbre 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 éramos en otro tiempo insensatos, desobedientes, extraviados, esclavos de concupiscencias y deleites diversos, viviendo en malicia y envidia, aborrecibles, y aborreciéndonos 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 benignidad de Dios nuestro Salvador, y su amor para con los hombres,

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.

nos salvó, no en virtud de obras de justicia que nosotros hubiéramos hecho, sino conforme a su misericordia, mediante el 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.

a quien 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, viniésemos a ser herederos conforme a 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 estas cosas quiero que insistas con firmeza, para que los que han creído a Dios, procuren ocuparse en buenas obras. Estas cosas son buenas y útiles a 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 las controversias necias, y genealogías, contiendas y disputas acerca de la ley; porque son sin provecho y vanas.

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 una y otra amonestación deséchalo,

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

sabiendo que el tal se ha pervertido, y peca, habiéndose condenado a sí mismo. Encargos personales

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 envíe a ti a Artemas o a Tíquico, apresúrate a venir a mí en Nicópolis, porque he determinado pasar el invierno allí.

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

A Zenas, el experto en la ley, y a Apolos, provéelos de todo lo necesario para el viaje, de modo 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 aprendan también los nuestros a ocuparse en buenas obras, atendiendo las necesidades urgentes, para que no sean sin fruto. Saludos y bendición final

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 vosotros. Amén.