⁵ Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also ^(A)for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ^7 (B)Pay to all what is due them: ^(C)tax to whom tax is due; ^(D)custom to whom custom; ^[a]respect to whom ^[b]respect; honor to whom honor.

²¹ They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “^(A)Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

Godly Living

3 ^(A)Remind them ^(B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(C)ready for every good deed, ² to slander no one, ^(D)not to be contentious, to be ^(E)gentle, ^(F)showing every consideration for all people. ^3 (G)For we too were once foolish, ^(H)disobedient, ^(I)deceived, ^(J)enslaved to ^(K)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in ^(L)malice and ^(M)envy, hateful, hating one another. ⁴ But when the ^(N)kindness of ^(O)God our Savior and His love for mankind ^(P)appeared, ^5 (Q)He saved us, ^(R)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but ^(S)in accordance with His mercy, by the ^(T)washing of regeneration and ^(U)renewing by the Holy Spirit, ^6 (V)whom He ^(W)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by His grace we would be made ^(X)heirs ^[a]according to the hope of eternal life. ^8 (Y)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I ^(Z)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have ^(AA)believed God will be careful to ^(AB)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. ⁹ But ^(AC)avoid ^(AD)foolish controversies and ^(AE)genealogies and strife and ^(AF)disputes about the Law, for they are ^(AG)useless and worthless. ^10 (AH)Reject a ^[b](AI)divisive person ^(AJ)after a first and second warning, ¹¹ knowing that such a person has ^(AK)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Concerns

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

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

^(AW)Grace be with you all.

^13 (A)And who is ^[a]there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

^5 (A)You ^[a]younger men, likewise, ^(B)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(C)humility toward one another, because ^(D)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

^21 [a](A)and subject yourselves to one another in the ^[b](B)fear of Christ.

Marriage like Christ and the Church

^22 (A)Wives, ^(B)subject yourselves to your own husbands, ^(C)as to the Lord.

Children and Parents

6 ^(A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

⁹ And masters, do the same things to them, and ^(A)give up threatening, knowing that ^(B)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is ^(C)no partiality with Him.