Be Ready for Every Good Work

3 ^(A)Remind them ^(B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(C)ready for every good work, ² to slander no one, ^(D)to be peaceable, ^(E)considerate, ^(F)demonstrating all gentleness to all men. ^3 (G)For we ourselves also once were foolish, ^(H)disobedient, ^(I)deceived, ^(J)enslaved to ^(K)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in ^(L)malice and ^(M)envy, despicable, hating one another. ⁴ But when the ^(N)kindness and affection of ^(O)God our Savior ^(P)appeared, ^5 (Q)He saved us, ^(R)not by works which we did in righteousness, but ^(S)according to His mercy, through the ^(T)washing of regeneration and ^(U)renewing by the Holy Spirit, ^6 (V)whom He poured out upon us ^(W)richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that having been justified by His grace, we would become ^(X)heirs ^[a]according to the hope of eternal life. ^8 (Y)This is a trustworthy saying. And concerning these things I ^(Z)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have ^(AA)believed God will be intent to ^(AB)lead in good works. These things are good and profitable for men. ⁹ But ^(AC)avoid ^(AD)foolish controversies and ^(AE)genealogies and strife and ^(AF)conflicts about the Law, for they are ^(AG)unprofitable and worthless. ^10 (AH)Reject a ^(AI)factious man ^(AJ)after a first and second warning, ¹¹ knowing that such a man is ^(AK)perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Instructions and Greetings

¹² When I send Artemas or ^(AL)Tychicus to you, ^(AM)be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to ^(AN)spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently help send Zenas the ^(AO)lawyer and ^(AP)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. ^14 (AQ)And our people must also learn to ^(AR)lead in good ^[b]works to meet ^(AS)pressing needs, so that they will not be ^(AT)unfruitful.

^15 (AU)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us ^(AV)in the faith.

^(AW)Grace be with you all.