² Older men^(A) are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love,^(B) and endurance. ³ In the same way, older women^(C) are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive^(D) to their husbands, so that God’s message^(E) will not be slandered.

⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men^(F) to be self-controlled ⁷ in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity^[a] in your teaching. ⁸ Your message is to be sound beyond reproach,^(G) so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared with 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) and 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.

Christian Living among Outsiders

3 Remind them to be submissive^(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.

⁸ This saying is trustworthy.^(N) I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. ⁹ But avoid foolish debates,^(O) genealogies,^(P) quarrels,^(Q) and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive^(R) person after a first and second warning,^{(S) 11} knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.