Titus

Chapter 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness,

2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the ages began,

3 and at the proper time manifested his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remained and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you

6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of debauchery or insubordination.

7 For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for shameful gain,

8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, just, holy, disciplined,

9 holding fast to the faithful word as taught, so that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

10 For there are many insubordinate people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

11 who must be silenced, since they overturn whole households, teaching things they ought not for the sake of shameful gain.

12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said: "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

13 This testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and the commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

15 To the pure all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works, being detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Chapter 2

1 But as for you, speak the things that befit sound teaching.

2 Older men are to be sober, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in endurance;

3 older women likewise are to be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,

4 so that they may train the young women to love their husbands and love their children,

5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, submitting to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

6 Likewise exhort the younger men to be self-controlled

7 in all things, showing yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching showing integrity, dignity,

8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

9 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not talking back,

10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people,

12 training us so that, renouncing ungodliness and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

13 awaiting the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people of his own possession, zealous for good works.

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

Chapter 3

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness toward all people.

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and love for mankind of God our Savior appeared,

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

6 which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 The saying is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to insist firmly, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are good and profitable for people.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and quarrels and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

10 As for a divisive person, after a first and second warning have nothing more to do with him,

11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for 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 let our people also learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they may not be unfruitful.

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