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Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the
faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords
with godliness,
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in hope of eternal life which God, who never lies, promised ages ago
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and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching
with which I have been entrusted by command of God our Savior;
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@ To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
@ Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
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@ This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was
defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you,
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if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and his children are
believers and not open to the charge of being profligate or
insubordinate.
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For a bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless; he must not be
arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
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but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy,
and self-controlled;
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he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to
give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who
contradict it.
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For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers,
especially the circumcision party;
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they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by
teaching for base gain what they have no right to teach.
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One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always
liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
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This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be
sound in the faith,
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instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject
the truth.
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To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving
nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.
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They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are
detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed.
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@ But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine.
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Bid the older men be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in
love, and in steadfastness.
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Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behavior, not to be
slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good,
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and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
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to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their
husbands, that the word of God may not be discredited.
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Likewise urge the younger men to control themselves.
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Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your
teaching show integrity, gravity,
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and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be
put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.
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Bid slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction
in every respect; they are not to be refractory,
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nor to pilfer, but to show entire and true fidelity, so that in
everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
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@ For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men,
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training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live
sober, upright, and godly lives in this world,
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awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ,
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who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify
for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
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@ Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no
one disregard you.
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@ Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready for any honest work,
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to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show
perfect courtesy toward all men.
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For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to
various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy,
hated by men and hating one another;
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but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
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he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in
virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in
the Holy Spirit,
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which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
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so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of
eternal life.
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The saying is sure.
@ I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have
believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these
are excellent and profitable to men.
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But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels
over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
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As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have
nothing more to do with him,
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knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is
self-condemned.
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@ When I send Artemas or Tych'icus to you, do your best to come to me
at Nicop'olis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
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Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apol'los on their way; see
that they lack nothing.
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And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to
help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
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@ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in
the faith.
@ Grace be with you all.