Believers are to be submissive to authorities, prepared for good works, and speak no evil of others, displaying meekness towards all. They were once unwise and sinful, but God's kindness and mercy saved them through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, justifying them by his grace. Believers should excel in good works and avoid foolish questions and arguments, as well as heretics who have been subverted. The passage concludes with instructions and greetings from the author.
1 Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work 2 to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men 3 For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another 4 But then the kindness and humanity of God our Savior appeared 5 And he saved us, not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and by the renovation of the Holy Spirit 6 whom he has poured out upon us in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life 8 This is a faithful saying. And I want you to confirm these things, so that those who believe in God may take care to excel in good works. These things are good and useful to men 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, as well as arguments against the law. For these are useless and empty 10 Avoid a man who is a heretic, after the first and second correction 11 knowing that one who is like this has been subverted, and that he offends; for he has been condemned by his own judgment 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to return to me at Nicopolis. For I have decided to winter there 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollo ahead with care, and let nothing be lacking to them 14 But let our men also learn to excel in good works pertaining to the necessities of life, so that they may not be unfruitful 15 All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. May the grace of God be with you all. Amen