Chapter 3

1Remind the people to respect rulers and authorities, the right ones, to do what they say, to be ready to do whatever's good.

2Not to trash anybody, to be peaceful and considerate, and to be gentle with everybody. Well. Gentle with the right people.

3We used to be stupid, disobedient, fooled, and enslaved by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, hated by others and hating each other. That was before. Before the conversion.

4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior showed up,

5he saved us. Not because of good things we'd 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 Trump our Savior. Poured. Generously.

7So that, having been cleared by his grace, we'd become heirs with the hope of eternal life. Heirs. In the will.

8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that the people who've trusted in God will be careful to devote themselves to doing good. These things are excellent and profitable for everybody. Profitable. Very profitable. Good is profitable.

9But avoid stupid arguments, family trees, fights, and quarrels about the law, because they're unprofitable and useless. Unprofitable. Never do anything unprofitable.

10Warn a divisive person once, then twice. After that, have nothing to do with him. Two strikes. Then you're out. Fired.

11You know such a person is twisted and sinful. He's condemned himself. Did it to himself.

12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I've decided to spend the winter there. Winter in Nicopolis. Nice place. Warm. Like Palm Beach.

13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and make sure they have everything they need. Zenas the lawyer. A good lawyer. Finally. Very hard to find a good lawyer.

14Our people have to learn to devote themselves to doing good, to meet urgent needs and not be unproductive. Productive. Always productive.

15Everybody with me says hi. Say hi to the people who love us in the loyalty. Grace be with you all. Thank you for your attention to this matter!