3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and generous loveof God our savior appeared,
5 not because of any righteous deeds we had donebut because of his mercy,he saved us through the bath of rebirthand renewal by the holy Spirit,
6 whom he richly poured out on usthrough Jesus Christ our savior,
7 so that we might be justified by his graceand become heirs in hope of eternal life.
8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others.
9 Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile.