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

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

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

They 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

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;

There 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.

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

But God, the One Who saves, showed how kind He was and how He loved us

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,

by 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.

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

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

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

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

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,

What 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.

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

Do 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.

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

Talk 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.

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

You can be sure he is going the wrong way. He is sinning and he knows it.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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