⁶ that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord ^(A)is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

⁵ Therefore ^(A)you must be subject, not only because of wrath ^(B)but also for conscience’ sake.

⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

^7 (A)Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

²¹ They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And He said to them, ^(A)“Render^[a] therefore to Caesar the things that are ^(B)Caesar’s, and to God the things that are ^(C)God’s.”

Graces of the Heirs of Grace

3 Remind them ^(A)to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, ^(B)to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³ For ^(C)we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when ^(D)the kindness and the love of ^(E)God our Savior toward man appeared, ^5 (F)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through ^(G)the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ^6 (H)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace ^(I)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

^8 (J)This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Avoid Dissension

⁹ But ^(K)avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ^10 (L)Reject a divisive man after the first and second ^[a]admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Messages

¹² When I send Artemas to you, or ^(M)Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Send Zenas the lawyer and ^(N)Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

Farewell

¹⁵ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear ^(A)God. Honor the king.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, ^(A)all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for