The Elders’ Task

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle (A)talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, (B)for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 (C)One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. (D)Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and (E)commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 (F)To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to (G)know God, but (H)in works they deny Him, being [a]abominable, disobedient, (I)and disqualified for every good work.

Qualities of a Sound Church

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, (J)homemakers, good, (K)obedient to their own husbands, (L)that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be (M)a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, (N)incorruptibility,[b] sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of [c]you.

Exhort (O)bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not [d]pilfering, but showing all good [e]fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Footnotes

  1. Titus 1:16 detestable
  2. Titus 2:7 NU omits incorruptibility
  3. Titus 2:8 NU, M us
  4. Titus 2:10 thieving
  5. Titus 2:10 honesty

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