Titus Chapter 1
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
3 and at the proper time revealed his word through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Requirements for elders and bishops
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might set in order what was lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you—
6 a man who is blameless, the husband of one wife, and whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or given to drunkenness or violent or greedy for gain.
8 Rather, he must be hospitable, a lover of what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He 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.
10 For many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group,
11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for dishonest gain.
12 One of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and unbelieving, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.
Titus Chapter 2
Teaching sound doctrine
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in patience.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious talkers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of what is good.
4 They are to train the younger women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God will not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness,
8 and 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.
9 Slaves are to be subject to their masters, to please them in everything, not to talk back to them,
10 not evading, but showing all faithfulness, so that in every way they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.
12 It teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14 who 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.
15 These are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Titus Chapter 3
Justified by grace
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
2 to slander no one, to be peaceable, gentle, and always respectful to everyone.
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 he 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,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to stress these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
10 Warn a divisive person once and then twice; have nothing more to do with him,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Personal instructions
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Do your best to guide Zenas the lawyer and Apollos so that they will lack nothing.
14 Our people must also learn to devote themselves to doing good works to meet urgent needs, so that they will not be unproductive.
Greetings and final blessing
15 All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.