Chapter 3

¹Remind men to accept and obey the constituted authorities, to be ready for any useful service, ²to abuse nobody, to be peaceable and reasonable, showing perfect gentleness to everyone. ³For we ourselves were once without understanding, disobedient, deluded, enslaved to all kinds of passions and pleasures. Our minds were full of malice and envy. Men hated us and we hated one another. ⁴But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior were revealed, ⁵he saved us, not for any upright actions we had performed, but from his own mercy, through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the holy Spirit, ⁶which he has poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that we might be made upright through his mercy and become possessors of eternal life in fulfilment of our hope. ⁸This is a trustworthy teaching, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who believe in God may make it their business to do good. All this is right and beneficial to mankind. ⁹But have nothing to do with foolish controversies, pedigrees, strife, and wrangles about the Law, for they are profitless and futile. ¹⁰If a man is inclined to a sect, after warning him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him. ¹¹You may be sure that a man of that kind is corrupt and sinful, for his own actions condemn him.

¹²When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to settle there for the winter. ¹³Do all you can to help Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on with their journey, and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴Have our people learn to make it their business to do good, so as to meet these pressing demands and not live unfruitful lives.

¹⁵All who are with me wish to be remembered to you. Remember me to all believers who love me. God bless you all.