Heirs of Grace

3 Remind [the believers] to submit to rulers [and] authorities, to be obedient [and] ready for every good work, 2 to malign no one, [and] to be peaceable [and] gentle, showing full consideration to everyone

3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, [and] enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated [and] hating one another.

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not by [the] righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through [the] washing of new birth[fn] and renewal by [the] Holy Spirit. 6 [ This is the Spirit ] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by [His] grace, we would become heirs with [the] hope of eternal life. 8 [This] saying [is] trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.