Obedience to Authorities 1Remind them to be subject to principalities and authorities, to obey rule, unto every good work to be ready, 2of no one to speak evil, not to be quarrelsome -- gentle, showing all meekness to all men, God's Mercy to Us 3for we were once -- also we -- thoughtless, disobedient, led astray, serving desires and pleasures manifold, in malice and envy living, odious -- hating one another; 4and when the kindness and the love to men of God our Saviour did appear 5(not by works that are in righteousness that we did but according to His kindness,) He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6which He poured upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7that having been declared righteous by His grace, heirs we may become according to the hope of life age-during. 8Stedfast is the word; and concerning these things I counsel thee to affirm fully, that they may be thoughtful, to be leading in good works -- who have believed God; these are the good and profitable things to men, Avoiding Divisions 9and foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about law, stand away from -- for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A sectarian man, after a first and second admonition be rejecting, 11having known that he hath been subverted who is such, and doth sin, being self-condemned. Final Remarks and Greetings 12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for there to winter I have determined. 13Zenas the lawyer and Apollos bring diligently on their way, that nothing to them may be lacking, 14and let them learn -- ours also -- to be leading in good works to the necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful. 15Salute thee do all those with me; salute those loving us in faith; the grace is with you all! |