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Be Ready for Every Good Work

¹ 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.