1. Remind them to be subject to the rulers and to the authorities, to obey, to be prepared for every good work,
2. to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all courtesy to all people.
3. For we also were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, spending our lives in wickedness and envy, despicable, hating one another.
4. But when the kindness and love for mankind of God our Savior appeared,
5. he saved us, not by deeds of righteousness that we have done, but because of his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6. whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7. so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist concerning these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.
9. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and contentions and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and fruitless.