1 Remind men to accept and obey the constituted authorities, to be ready for any useful service,
2 to abuse nobody, to be peaceable and reasonable, showing perfect gentleness to everyone.
3 For 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.
4 But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior were revealed,
5 he 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,
6 which he has poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that we might be made upright through his mercy and become possessors of eternal life in fulfilment of our hope.
8 This 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.
9 But have nothing to do with foolish controversies, pedigrees, strife, and wrangles about the Law, for they are profitless and futile.
10 If a man is inclined to a sect, after warning him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him.
11 You may be sure that a man of that kind is corrupt and sinful, for his own actions condemn him.