NET

5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Darby

5 not on the principle of works which [have been done] in righteousness which *we* had done, but according to his own mercy he saved us through [the] washing^D8957 of regeneration and renewal of [the] Holy Spirit,

Darby Bible Notes

washing - 'Washing' is right here. It is a bath, or the water for it. 'Regeneration' is not the same word as 'being born again,' nor is it used so in scripture. The force of the word is a change of position; a new state of things. The word is only used here, and in Matt. 19.28 for the Saviour's coming kingdom.

KJV

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;