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Titus
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Paul, a
servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's
elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- {2}
a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which
God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, {3}
and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the
preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, {4}
To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the
Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. {5} The reason I left you in
Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and
appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. {6} An elder
must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children
believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
{7} Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be
blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to
drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. {8} Rather
he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is
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 there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and
deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. {11} They
must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching
things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
{12} Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always
liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." {13} This testimony is true.
Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
{14} and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of
those who reject the truth. {15} To 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. {16}
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are
detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. |
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Titus
2 |
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You
must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. {2} Teach the
older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound
in faith, in love and in endurance. {3} Likewise, 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. {4} Then they
can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, {5}
to 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. {6} Similarly, encourage the young 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} Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to
try to please them, not to talk back to them, {10} and 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.
{11} For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all
men. {12} It teaches us to say "No" to 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
glorious appearing 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, then, are the things you should teach.
Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. |
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Titus 3 |
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Remind the people 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 and considerate, and to show true humility toward
all men. {3} At 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. {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 trusted 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 and
genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are
unprofitable and useless. {10} Warn a divisive person once, and
then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
{11} You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is
self-condemned. {12} As 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. {13} Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer
and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.
{14} Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is
good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live
unproductive lives. {15} Everyone with me sends you greetings.
Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. |
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