Titus 1-3
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 1
1Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;
5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
6namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion.
7For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
8but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined,
9holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
10For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain.
12One of them, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.'
13This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
14not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
16They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
Chapter 2
1But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,
4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
6Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;
7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
9Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not argumentative,
10not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people,
12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age,
13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds.
Chapter 3
1Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. 3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless. 10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a person has deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.
12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.
14Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive.
King James Version
Chapter 1
1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Chapter 2
1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Chapter 3
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 1
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior:
5The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.
6An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion.
7As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money,
8but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,
9holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
10For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party.
11It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.
12One of their very own prophets said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
13This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith
14and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.
15To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled.
16They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
Chapter 2
1But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching. 2Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered.
6In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled
7in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.
8Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.
9Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back
10or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,
13while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
14He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
Chapter 3
1Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,
5he saved us —not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy —through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior
7so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
8This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.
10Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.
11For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.
New Living Translation
Chapter 1
1This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God — who does not lie — promised them before the world began. 3And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.
5I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.
6An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.
7A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
8Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.
9He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
10For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation.
11They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money.
12Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, 'The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.'
13This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.
14They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.
15Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Chapter 2
1As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
4These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,
5to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.
7And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
8Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
9Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back
10or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
11For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
12And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
13while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
14He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Chapter 3
1Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
4But — When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,
5he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
9Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
10If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
11For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
12I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter.
13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need.
14Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
English Standard Version
Chapter 1
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God 's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
5This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you —
6if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7For an overseer, as God 's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
11They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
12One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
15To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Chapter 2
1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Chapter 3
1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
New International Version
Chapter 1
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
6An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
10For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group.
11They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
12One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."
13This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.
15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Chapter 2
1You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
4Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,
5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Chapter 3
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.
11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.
14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
New King James Version
Chapter 1
1Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—
6if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
8but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
9holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
12One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
15To 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.
16They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
Chapter 2
1But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
10not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Chapter 3
1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
9But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
10Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
11knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.
14And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
