3:3 我们从前也是无知，悖逆，受迷惑，服事各样私欲和宴乐，常存恶毒（注：或作“阴毒”）、嫉妒的心，是可恨的，又是彼此相恨。
3:4 但到了神我们救主的恩慈和他向人所施的慈爱显明的时候，
3:5 他便救了我们，并不是因我们自己所行的义，乃是照他的怜悯，藉着重生的洗和圣灵的更新。
3:6 圣灵就是 神藉着耶稣基督我们救主厚厚浇灌在我们身上的，
3:7 好叫我们因他的恩得称为义，可以凭着永生的盼望成为后嗣（注：或作“可以凭着盼望承受永生”）。
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had 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 Jesus Christ our Savior,
7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.