1 Constantly remind people to submit to and obey the rulers who have authority over them, so as to be ready for any good enterprise,
2 to stop abusing anyone, to be peaceable, fair-minded, showing perfect gentleness to everybody.
3 For once we too were without understanding, disobedient, misled, habitual slaves to all sorts of passions and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy.
4 But when the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Saviour were brought to light,
5 He saved us, not for upright deeds that we had done, but in accordance with His mercy, through the bath of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 which He abundantly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
7 so that we might come into right standing with God through His unmerited favor and become heirs of eternal life in accordance with our hope.
8 It is a message to be trusted, and I want you to be emphatic about these things, so that those who believe in God may be careful to take the lead in doing good. These things are right and render service to mankind.
9 But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies, pedigrees, strife, and wrangles about the law, for these are fruitless and futile.
10 After one or two warnings to a man who is factious, stop having anything to do with him,
11 for you may be sure that such a man is crooked and sinful, even self-condemned.