Paul's Letter to Titus
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Chapter 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,
^2in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before
eternal times;
^3but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was
entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;
^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.
^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;
^6if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who
believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.
^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;
^8but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober minded, fair,
holy, self-controlled;
^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.
^10For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers,
especially those of the circumcision,
^11whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses,
teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake.
^12One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always
liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons."
^13This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that
they may be sound in the faith,
^14not paying attention to Jewish fables 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 that they know God, but by their works they deny him,
being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
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Chapter 2
^1But say the things which fit sound doctrine,
^2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in
faith, in love, and in patience:
^3and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers
nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;
^4that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love
their children,
^5to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in
subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be
blasphemed.
^6Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded;
^7in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your
teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,
^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.
^9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be
well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;
^10not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the
doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.
^11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
^12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world;
^13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great
God and Savior, Jesus Christ;
^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.
^15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no
man despise you.
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Chapter 3
^1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready for every good work,
^2to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing
all humility toward all men.
^3For we 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 of God our Savior and his love toward mankind
appeared,
^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,
^6which he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;
^7that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.
^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;
^9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes
about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
^10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;
^11knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being
self-condemned.
^12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me
to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
^13Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that
nothing may be lacking for them.
^14Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses,
that they may not be unfruitful.
^15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
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