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Titus
Paul's Letter to Titus
{1:1} Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the
truth which is according to godliness, {1:2} in hope of eternal life,
which God, who can't lie, promised before time began; {1:3} but in his
own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted
according to the commandment of God our Savior; {1:4} to Titus, my true
child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
{1:5} I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in
order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city,
as I directed you; {1:6} if anyone is blameless, the husband of one
wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or
unruly behavior. {1:7} For the overseer must be blameless, as God's
steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not
violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; {1:8} but given to hospitality,
as a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; {1:9}
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that
he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those
who contradict him. {1:10} For there are also many unruly men, vain
talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, {1:11}
whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching
things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake. {1:12} One of
them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil
beasts, and idle gluttons." {1:13} This testimony is true. For this
cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
{1:14} not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men
who turn away from the truth. {1:15} To the pure, all things are pure;
but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both
their mind and their conscience are defiled. {1:16} They profess that
they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable,
disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
{2:1} But say the things which fit sound doctrine, {2:2} that older
men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in
love, and in patience: {2:3} and that older women likewise be reverent
in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that
which is good; {2:4} that they may train the young women to love their
husbands, to love their children, {2:5} to be sober minded, chaste,
workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that
God's word may not be blasphemed. {2:6} Likewise, exhort the younger
men to be sober minded; {2:7} in all things showing yourself an example
of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness,
incorruptibility, {2:8} and soundness of speech that can't be
condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing
to say about us. {2:9} Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own
masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;
{2:10} not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn
the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. {2:11} For the grace of
God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, {2:12} instructing us
to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; {2:13}
looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great
God and Savior, Jesus Christ; {2:14} who gave himself for us, that he
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for
his own possession, zealous for good works. {2:15} Say these things and
exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
{3:1} Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities,
to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, {3:2} to speak evil of
no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility
toward all men. {3:3} For we were also once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and
envy, hateful, and hating one another. {3:4} But when the kindness of
God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, {3:5} not by works
of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy,
he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the
Holy Spirit, {3:6} whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus
Christ our Savior; {3:7} that, being justified by his grace, we might
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. {3:8} This saying
is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm
confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; {3:9}
but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about
the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. {3:10} Avoid a factious
man after a first and second warning; {3:11} knowing that such a one is
perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.
{3:12} When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come
to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. {3:13} Send
Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing
may be lacking for them. {3:14} Let our people also learn to maintain
good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
{3:15} All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in
faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
