Copyright (c) Timothy E. Clontz 1999 All rights reserved.

The Letter of Paul to Titus

1
  1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior, 4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
  5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might straighten out what was left unfinished, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and his children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild or rebellious. 7 For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; 9 he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to refute those who contradict it.
  10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.11 They must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they ought not to teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said,
  "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are corrupted and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable and disobedient, unfit for any good deed.

2
  1 But as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine. 2 The older men are to be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. 3 The older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to much wine, but they are to teach what is good, 4 so they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible. 7 Show yourself in all respects an example of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, seriousness, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to be well- pleasing, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in everything they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
  11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, zealous for good deeds. 15 Speak these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

3
  1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable and gentle, and to show true humility toward all men. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but because of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
  8 This is a trustworthy saying; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and quarrels about the Law, for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a man who is factious once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
  12 When 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. 13 Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 Our people must also learn to devote themselves to good deeds, so that they may help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
  15 All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.