1 R emind them to be subject to principalities and authorities, to obey rule, unto every good work to be ready,

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

2 o f no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome -- gentle, showing all meekness to all men,

to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

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

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

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

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

5 ( 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,

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

6 w hich He poured upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour,

whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

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

so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 S tedfast 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,

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

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

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

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

Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,

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

knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. Personal Concerns

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

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

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

Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.

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

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

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

All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.