Be Ready for Every Good Work
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Remind them 1to be submissive to rulers and authorities, 2to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
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3to speak evil of no one, 4to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and 5to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
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For 6we 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.
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he saved us, 8not because of works done by us in righteousness, but 9according to his own mercy, by 10the washing of regeneration and 11renewal of the Holy Spirit,
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so that 13being justified by his grace we might become 14heirs 15according to the hope of eternal life.
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The saying is 16trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful 17to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
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But 18avoid foolish 19controversies, 20genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for 21they are unprofitable and worthless.
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As for a person who stirs up division, 22after warning him once and then twice, 23have nothing more to do with him,
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knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
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When I send Artemas or 24Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me 25at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)