CHRISTIAN LIVING AMONG OUTSIDERS

3 Remind them to submita to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentlenessb to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passionsc and pleasures,d living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,e 5 he saved usf—not by works of righteousness that we had done,g but according to his mercyh—through the washing of regenerationi and renewal by the Holy Spirit.j 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantlyk through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace,l we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.m 8 This saying is trustworthy.n 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. 9 But avoid foolish debates,o genealogies,p quarrels,q and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisiver person after a first and second warning.s 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.