1 Paul, a slave of God, apostle of Jesus Christ according to faith of the elect of God and knowledge of the truth according to godliness 2 into hope of life eternal, which the non-lying God promised before eternal ages, 3 but in His own season He made His word known through preaching, which I was entrusted by command of God our Saviour. 4 To Titus, my genuine son according to the common faith; grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.
5 Because of this I left you behind in Crete, so that you yourself might set straight what remains and appoint elders according to town, as I directed you; 6 if anyone is blameless, a one-woman man, having faithful children, not accused of wild living or rebelliousness. 7 For the elder it is necessary to be blameless as God’s steward, not self-willed, not inclined to anger, not a drunkard, not pugnacious, not fond of dishonest gain, 8 but a friend of strangers, a lover of what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined, 9 firmly holding to the faithful message in accordance with the teaching, so that he might be capable to exhort in sound teaching and to rebuke those speaking against it.
10 For there are many rebellious ones, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision group, 11 whom it is necessary to muzzle, who ruin whole households teaching what ought not to be taught for the sake of shameful gain. 12 A certain one from them, a prophet of their own, says,
“Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This witness is true. For this reason, rebuke them rigorously, so that they may be healthy in the faith, 14 not holding to Jewish myths and commandments of men who reject the truth. 15 All is pure for those who are pure. But for the corrupt and the unfaithful nothing is pure, both their minds and consciences are completely corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but they deny Him with their works; being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.
2 But you speak what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober minded, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in patience. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they might encourage the younger women to love their husbands, love their children, 5 to be sober minded, pure, fulfilling their household duties, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God is not blasphemed. 6 Likewise urge the younger men to be reasonable 7 concerning all things, holding yourself as an example of good works, with integrity, dignity, 8 and sound preaching that is beyond reproach, so that the one opposed may be put to shame, having nothing foul to say concerning us. 9 Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in all things, to be well-pleasing, not speaking against their masters, 10 not misappropriating their master’s property but showing all good faith, so that they may do credit to the teaching of our God and Saviour in all respects.
11 For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men; 12 instructing us, after we renounce impiety and worldly desires, to live self-controlled, justly and godly in this present age; 13 looking forward to the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and deliverer of us, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself on behalf of us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a chosen people, zealous for good works. 15 These things speak and exhort and set forth with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be prepared for all good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all courtesy to all men. 3 For we too were foolish, disobedient, deluded, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, loathsome, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and benevolence of God our Saviour appeared, 5 not out of works in righteousness which we did but according to His mercy He saved us through washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that being justified in His grace we become heirs according to the hope of life eternal.
8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist emphatically upon these things, so that those who have believed God might fully consider engaging in good works. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and discord and quarrels about the law: for these are harmful and fruitless. 10 Reject a division-causing man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man has been perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to winter there. 13 Hurry and send along Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they may lack nothing. 14 But also let those who are ours learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs, so that they might not be fruitless.
15 All the ones with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all.
Copyright © 2004 by Rick Brannan.
All Rights Reserved.