¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation^[a] for all people,^{(A) 12} instructing us to deny godlessness^(B) and worldly lusts^(C) and to live in a sensible, righteous,^(D) and godly^(E) way in the present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope,^(F) the appearing of the glory^(G) of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us^(H) to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession,^(I) eager to do good works.

¹⁵ Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard^[b] you.

Christian Living among Outsiders

3 Remind them to submit^(A) to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness^(B) to all people. ³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions^(C) and pleasures,^(D) living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,^{(E) 5} he saved us^(F)—not by works of righteousness that we had done,^(G) but according to his mercy^(H)—through the washing of regeneration^(I) and renewal by the Holy Spirit.^{(J) 6} He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly^(K) through Jesus Christ our Savior ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(L) we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.^(M)

Believers Are Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty?^[a] It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.^(A)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.^{(B) 15} No one lights a lamp^(C) and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.^{(D) 16} In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.^(E)

3 See what great love^[a] the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. ² Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed.^(A) We know that when he appears,^[b] we will be like him^(B) because we will see him as he is.^{(C) 3} And everyone who has this hope^(D) in him purifies himself just as he is pure.^(E)