1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities. They should be obedient and ready to do every good thing.
2 They shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about anyone, but they should be peaceful, kind, and show complete courtesy toward everyone.
3 We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and slaves to our desires and various pleasures too. We were spending our lives in evil behavior and jealousy. We were disgusting, and we hated other people.
4 But "when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared,
5 he saved us because of his mercy, not because of righteous things we had done. He did it through the washing of new birth and the renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 which God poured out upon us generously through Jesus Christ our savior.
7 So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life."