Saved in Order to Do Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Final Remarks
12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
專心行善
1你要提醒眾人順服執政掌權者，要服從，隨時準備做各種善事。 2不要毀謗，不要爭吵，要謙和、恭敬地對待每一個人。 3從前我們也愚蠢、悖逆、易受迷惑，受各種私慾和享樂驅使，心裡充滿惡念和嫉妒，令人憎惡，也彼此憎恨。 4但我們的救主上帝向人彰顯了祂的恩慈和仁愛， 5藉著重生之洗和聖靈的更新拯救了我們，這並非因為我們有義行，而是因為祂的憐憫。 6上帝藉著我們的救主耶穌基督把聖靈豐豐富富地澆灌在我們身上。 7這樣，我們既然靠著祂的恩典被稱為義人，就可以成為後嗣，有永生的盼望。 8以上這些話是可信的，希望你認真強調，使信上帝的人專心行善。這都是造福眾人的美事。
9要避免愚昧的爭論、有關家譜的辯駁和律法上的爭執，因為這些毫無益處。 10對於製造分裂的人，警告過一兩次後，要和他斷絕來往。 11因為你知道這種人已經背道犯罪，自定己罪。
信末的囑咐與問候
12我會派亞提馬或者推基古去見你。到時候，你要盡快到尼哥波立來見我，因為我決定在那裡過冬。 13你要為西納律師和亞波羅送行，盡力幫助他們，讓他們路上一無所缺。 14我們的弟兄姊妹也要學習行善，供應有急需的人，免得毫無建樹。
15這裡的弟兄姊妹都問候你，也請你問候那些因信仰而愛我們的人。
願恩典常與你們眾人同在！
