| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, | 1Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, |
| 2to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. | 2to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. |
| 3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. | 3For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. |
| 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, | 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, |
| 5He saved us-- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy -- through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. | 5He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. |
| 6He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior | 6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, |
| 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. | 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. |
| 8This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. | 8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people. |
| 9But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. | 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. |
| 10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, | 10Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, |
| 11knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. | 11knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned. |
| 12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. | 12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. |
| 13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing. | 13Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need. |
| 14And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful. | 14And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful. |
| 15All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. | 15All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. |
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