Salutation

Paul, (A)a bond-servant of God and an (B)apostle of Jesus Christ, [a]for the faith of those (C)chosen of God and (D)the knowledge of the truth which is (E)according to godliness, in (F)the hope of eternal life, which God, (G)who cannot lie, (H)promised [b](I)long ages ago, but (J)at the proper time revealed His word in (K)the proclamation (L)with which I was entrusted (M)according to the commandment of (N)God our Savior;

To (O)Titus, (P)my true [c]son [d]in a (Q)common faith: (R)Grace and peace from God the Father and (S)Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications of Elders

For this reason I left you in (T)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and (U)appoint (V)elders in every city as I directed you, namely, (W)if any man is beyond reproach, the (X)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of (Y)indecent behavior or (Z)rebellion. For the [e](AA)overseer must be beyond reproach as (AB)God’s steward, not (AC)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not (AD)overindulging in wine, not [f]a bully, (AE)not greedy for money, but (AF)hospitable, (AG)loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, (AH)holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to [g]exhort in (AI)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

10 (AJ)For there are many (AK)rebellious people, (AL)empty talkers and deceivers, especially (AM)those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting (AN)whole families, teaching (AO)things they should not teach (AP)for the sake of [h]dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “(AQ)Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason (AR)reprimand them (AS)severely so that they may be (AT)sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish (AU)myths and (AV)commandments of men who (AW)turn away from the truth. 15 (AX)To the pure, all things are pure; but (AY)to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their (AZ)mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 (BA)They profess to know God, but by their deeds they (BB)deny Him, being (BC)detestable and (BD)disobedient and (BE)worthless (BF)for any good deed.

Proclaim Sound Doctrine

But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for (BG)sound doctrine. (BH)Older men are to be [i](BI)temperate, dignified, self-controlled, (BJ)sound (BK)in faith, in love, in [j]perseverance.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, (BL)not malicious gossips nor (BM)enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may [k]encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, (BN)workers at home, kind, being (BO)subject to their own husbands, (BP)so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Likewise urge (BQ)the young men to be [l]sensible; in all things show yourself to be (BR)an example of good deeds, with [m]purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, (BS)so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge [n](BT)slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not [o]argumentative, 10 not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of (BU)God our Savior in every respect.

11 For the grace of God has (BV)appeared, [p](BW)bringing salvation to all people, 12 [q]instructing us to deny ungodliness and (BX)worldly desires and (BY)to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner (BZ)in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the (CA)appearing of the glory of [r](CB)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who (CC)gave Himself for us (CD)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to (CE)purify for Himself a (CF)people for His own possession, (CG)eager for good deeds.

15 These things speak and (CH)[s]exhort, and (CI)rebuke with all authority. (CJ)No one is to disregard you.

Godly Living

(CK)Remind them (CL)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be (CM)ready for every good deed, to slander no one, (CN)not to be contentious, to be (CO)gentle, (CP)showing every consideration for all people. (CQ)For we too were once foolish, (CR)disobedient, (CS)deceived, (CT)enslaved to (CU)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in (CV)malice and (CW)envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the (CX)kindness of (CY)God our Savior and His love for mankind (CZ)appeared, (DA)He saved us, (DB)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but (DC)in accordance with His mercy, by the (DD)washing of regeneration and (DE)renewing by the Holy Spirit, (DF)whom He (DG)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made (DH)heirs [t]according to the hope of eternal life. (DI)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I (DJ)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have (DK)believed God will be careful to (DL)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. But (DM)avoid (DN)foolish controversies and (DO)genealogies and strife and (DP)disputes about the Law, for they are (DQ)useless and worthless. 10 (DR)Reject a [u](DS)divisive person (DT)after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person has (DU)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Concerns

12 When I send Artemas or (DV)Tychicus to you, (DW)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to (DX)spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the (DY)lawyer and (DZ)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 (EA)Our people must also learn to (EB)engage in good [v]deeds to meet (EC)pressing needs, so that they will not be (ED)unproductive.

15 (EE)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us (EF)in the faith.

(EG)Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:1 Or according to
  2. Titus 1:2 Lit before eternal times
  3. Titus 1:4 Or child
  4. Titus 1:4 Lit according to
  5. Titus 1:7 Or bishop
  6. Titus 1:7 Or combative
  7. Titus 1:9 Or encourage
  8. Titus 1:11 Or disgraceful
  9. Titus 2:2 Or level-headed
  10. Titus 2:2 Or steadfastness
  11. Titus 2:4 Or train
  12. Titus 2:6 Or sensible in all things; show
  13. Titus 2:7 Or soundness; lit uncorruptness
  14. Titus 2:9 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  15. Titus 2:9 Lit contradicting
  16. Titus 2:11 Or to all mankind, bringing
  17. Titus 2:12 Or disciplining
  18. Titus 2:13 Or the great God and our Savior
  19. Titus 2:15 Or encourage
  20. Titus 3:7 Or of eternal life according to hope
  21. Titus 3:10 Or factious
  22. Titus 3:14 Or occupations

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