But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any good things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins so that we were born again. God poured out the Spirit on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, and the Spirit gave us new life. Now, because God has made us right with himself by his grace, we have the hope of inheriting eternal life.