Do What Is Good Because You Are Saved

¹Remind God’s people to follow their rulers and authorities and to be ready to do what is good.

²Tell them not to say bad things about anybody but to live in peace, consider the needs of others, and always be gentle toward everyone.

³At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and controlled by all kinds of wrong desires and pleasures. We were hostile and envious. Other people hated us, and we hated them.

⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

⁵he saved us, not because of any good things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins so that we were born again.

⁶God poured out the Spirit on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, and the Spirit gave us new life.

⁷Now, because God has made us right with himself by his grace, we have the hope of inheriting eternal life.

⁸This is a saying you can trust. I want you to emphasize these things so that those who trust in God will be careful to commit themselves to doing good. These things are excellent and good for everyone.

⁹But stay away from foolish disagreements, long ancestry lists, arguments, and fights about what the law teaches. None of those things do any good or help anybody.

¹⁰If someone is causing divisions, warn them once, and then warn them again if you have to, but after that, don’t have anything to do with them.

¹¹You know that people like that warp themselves and keep sinning. Their own actions show how wrong they are.

Final Words

¹²As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there.

¹³Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos. Send them on their way and make sure they have everything they need.

¹⁴Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good. Then they’ll be able to take care of people who have urgent needs, and they won’t be living useless lives.

¹⁵Everyone with me sends you greetings.

Greet those who love us in the faith.

May God’s grace be with you all.