Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 2

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

¹ You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.^{(a) 2} Teach the older men^(b) to be temperate,^(c) worthy of respect, self-controlled,^(d) and sound in faith,^(e) in love and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(f) or addicted to much wine,^(g) but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women^(h) to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled⁽ⁱ⁾ and pure, to be busy at home,^(j) to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,^(k) so that no one will malign the word of God.^(l)

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men^(m) to be self-controlled.^{(n) 7} In everything set them an example^(o) by doing what is good.^(p) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.^(q)

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,^(r) to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior^(s) attractive.^(t)

¹¹ For the grace^(u) of God has appeared^(v) that offers salvation to all people.^{(w) 12} It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,^(x) and to live self-controlled,^(y) upright and godly lives^(z) in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing^(aa) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,^{(ab) 14} who gave himself for us^(ac) to redeem us from all wickedness^(ad) and to purify^(ae) for himself a people that are his very own,^(af) eager to do what is good.^(ag)

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Chapter 3

Saved in Order to Do Good

¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,^(a) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,^{(b) 2} to slander no one,^(c) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time^(d) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness^(e) and love of God our Savior^(f) appeared,^{(g) 5} he saved us,^(h) not because of righteous things we had done,⁽ⁱ⁾ but because of his mercy.^(j) He saved us through the washing^(k) of rebirth and renewal^(l) by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us^(m) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,⁽ⁿ⁾ we might become heirs^(o) having the hope^(p) of eternal life.^{(q) 8} This is a trustworthy saying.^(r) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.^(s) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

⁹ But avoid^(t) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels^(u) about the law,^(v) because these are unprofitable and useless.^{(w) 10} Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.^{(x) 11} You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

¹² As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus^(y) to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.^{(z) 13} Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos^(aa) on their way and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,^(ab) in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.^(ac)

Grace be with you all.^(ad)

Chapter 2

Warning to Pay Attention

¹ We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.^{(a) 2} For since the message spoken^(b) through angels^(c) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,^{(d) 3} how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?^(e) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,^(f) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.^{(g) 4} God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,^(h) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit⁽ⁱ⁾ distributed according to his will.^(j)

Jesus Made Fully Human

⁵ It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶ But there is a place where someone^(k) has testified:

In putting everything under them,^[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.^[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.^{[f] 9} But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor⁽ⁿ⁾ because he suffered death,^(o) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.^(p)

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,^(q) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.^(r)