1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 1:2in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before eternal times; 1:3but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; 1:4to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
1:5I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; 1:6if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 1:7For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 1:8but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober-minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; 1:9holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. 1:10For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 1:11whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake. 1:12One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons." 1:13This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 1:14not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 1:15To 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. 1:16They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
2:1But say the things which fit sound doctrine, 2:2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: 2:3and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; 2:4that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. 2:6Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded; 2:7in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, 2:8and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. 2:9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; 2:10not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. 2:11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 2:12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; 2:13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 2:14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. 2:15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
3:1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 3:2to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 3:4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 3:5not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 3:6which he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 3:7that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 3:8This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; 3:9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 3:10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning; 3:11knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.
3:12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. 3:13Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. 3:14Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
3:15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
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