Letters to the Churches

and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.

In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,

to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.

It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

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.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.