Titus

Chapter 1

¹ Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of the chosen people of God and the knowledge of the truth that agrees with godliness, ² with the certain hope of eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before all the ages of time. ³ But at the right time, he revealed his word by the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior. ⁴ To Titus, a true son in a common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

⁵ For this purpose I left you in Crete, that you might set in order things not yet complete and ordain elders in every city as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of reckless behavior or rebellion. ⁷ For the overseer must be blameless, as the household manager of God, not arrogant, not easily angered, not addicted to wine, not a brawler, {and} not a greedy man. ⁸ Instead, he must be hospitable, a friend of what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, {and} self-controlled. ⁹ He must hold tightly to the trustworthy message that is in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage others with sound teaching and rebuke those who oppose him.

¹⁰ For there are many people, both rebellious, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision. ¹¹ It is necessary to stop them. They are upsetting whole households, teaching what they should not for the sake of shameful profit. ¹² One of them, of their own prophets, has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.” ¹³ This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them severely, so that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not paying any attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ All things {are} pure to those who {are} pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing {is} pure, but both their minds and consciences have been corrupted. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but they deny him by {their} actions, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.

Chapter 2

¹ But you, speak what fits with sound teaching. ² Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, {and} in perseverance. ³ Older women likewise {are to be} reverent in behavior, not slanderers or enslaved to much wine, {but to be} teachers of what is good. ⁴ In this way they may train the younger women to be lovers of their husbands {and} lovers of their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, good housekeepers, {and} subject to {their} own husbands, so that the word of God may not be insulted. ⁶ In the same way, exhort the younger men to be sensible. ⁷ In all ways present yourself {as} an example of good works. In the teaching, be uncorrupted, with dignity, ⁸ {and} a sound message {that is} above criticism, so that the opponent may be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us. ⁹ Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, {and} not to argue, ¹⁰ not to steal, but instead to demonstrate all good faith, so that in every way they may bring credit to the teaching that {is} about God our Savior. ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared for salvation to all men, ¹² training us, so that, rejecting godlessness and worldly passions, we might live in a sensible and righteous, and godly way in the present age, ¹³ while we look forward to receiving the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us in order to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a special people, zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Speak of these things, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Chapter 3

¹ Remind them to submit to rulers {and} authorities, to obey them, to be ready for every good work, ² to revile no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing all humility toward all men. ³ For once we also were foolish {and} disobedient. We were led astray {and} enslaved by various passions and pleasures. We lived in evil and envy, detestable, {and} hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love for mankind of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ {it was} not by works of righteousness that we did, but by his mercy that he saved us, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he richly poured on us through our Savior Jesus Christ, ⁷ so that having been justified by the grace of that one, we might become heirs according to the certain hope of eternal life. ⁸ This message {is} trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage themselves in good works. These things are good and useful for men. ⁹ But avoid foolish debates, and genealogies, and strife, and conflict about the law because they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings, ¹¹ knowing that such a person has turned from the right way and is sinning, being self-condemned.

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently send on their way Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they lack nothing. ¹⁴ And also, our own must learn to engage themselves in good works toward essential needs, in order not to be unfruitful.

¹⁵ All those who {are} with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace {be} with all of you.