^9 (A)Bondservants^[a] are to be submissive to their own masters ^(B)in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, ^(C)but showing all good faith, ^(D)so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

¹¹ For ^(E)the grace of God ^(F)has appeared, bringing salvation ^(G)for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and ^(H)worldly passions, and ^(I)to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in ^(J)the present age, ^13 (K)waiting for our blessed ^(L)hope, the ^(M)appearing of the glory of our great ^(N)God and Savior Jesus Christ, ^14 (O)who gave himself for us to ^(P)redeem us from all lawlessness and ^(Q)to purify for himself ^(R)a people for his own possession who are ^(S)zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and ^(T)rebuke with all authority. ^(U)Let no one disregard you.

Be Ready for Every Good Work

3 Remind them ^(A)to be submissive to rulers and authorities, ^(B)to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ^2 (C)to speak evil of no one, ^(D)to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and ^(E)to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³ For ^(F)we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴ But when ^(G)the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, ^(H)not because of works done by us in righteousness, but ^(I)according to his own mercy, by ^(J)the washing of regeneration and ^(K)renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he ^(L)poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that ^(M)being justified by his grace we might become ^(N)heirs ^(O)according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ The saying is ^(P)trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful ^(Q)to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. ⁹ But ^(R)avoid foolish ^(S)controversies, ^(T)genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for ^(U)they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, ^(V)after warning him once and then twice, ^(W)have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² When I send Artemas or ^(X)Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me ^(Y)at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and ^(Z)Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people learn ^(AA)to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not ^(AB)be unfruitful.

¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

^(AC)Grace be with you all.