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