1 Remind them ^ato be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, ^bto be ready for every good work,  ‡

2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

3 For ^awe ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.  ‡

4 But when ^athe kindness and the love of ^bGod our Savior toward man appeared,  ‡

5 ^anot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through ^bthe washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,  ‡

6 ^awhom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  ‡

7 that having been justified by His grace ^awe should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  ‡

8 ^aThis is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.  ‡