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Paul, ^(C1)a bond-servant of God and an ^(C2)apostle of Jesus Christ, ^(F1)for the faith of those ^(C3)chosen of God and ^(C4)the knowledge of the truth which is ^(C5)according to godliness,

in ^(C1)the hope of eternal life, which God, ^(C2)who cannot lie, ^(C3)promised ^(F1)(C4)long ages ago,

but ^(C1)at the proper time revealed His word in ^(C2)the proclamation ^(C3)with which I was entrusted ^(C4)according to the commandment of ^(C5)God our Savior;

To ^(C1)Titus, ^(C2)my true ^(F1)son ^(F2)in a ^(C3)common faith: ^(C4)Grace and peace from God the Father and ^(C5)Christ Jesus our Savior.

For this reason I left you in ^(C1)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and ^(C2)appoint ^(C3)elders in every city as I directed you,

namely, ^(C1)if any man is beyond reproach, the ^(C2)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of ^(C3)indecent behavior or ^(C4)rebellion.

For the ^(F1)(C1)overseer must be beyond reproach as ^(C2)God's steward, not ^(C3)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(C4)overindulging in wine, not ^(F2)a bully, ^(C5)not greedy for money,

but ^(C1)hospitable, ^(C2)loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined,

^(C1)holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to ^(F1)exhort in ^(C2)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

^(C1)For there are many ^(C2)rebellious people, ^(C3)empty talkers and deceivers, especially ^(C4)those of the circumcision,

who must be silenced because they are upsetting ^(C1)whole families, teaching ^(C2)things they should not teach ^(C3)for the sake of ^(F1)dishonest gain.

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "^(C1)Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

This testimony is true. For this reason ^(C1)reprimand them ^(C2)severely so that they may be ^(C3)sound in the faith,

not paying attention to Jewish ^(C1)myths and ^(C2)commandments of men who ^(C3)turn away from the truth.

^(C1)To the pure, all things are pure; but ^(C2)to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their ^(C3)mind and their conscience are defiled.

^(C1)They profess to know God, but by their deeds they ^(C2)deny Him, being ^(C3)detestable and ^(C4)disobedient and ^(C5)worthless ^(C6)for any good deed.

But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for ^(C1)sound doctrine.

^(C1)Older men are to be ^(F1)(C2)temperate, dignified, self-controlled, ^(C3)sound ^(C4)in faith, in love, in ^(F2)perseverance.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, ^(C1)not malicious gossips nor ^(C2)enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

so that they may ^(F1)encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

to be sensible, pure, ^(C1)workers at home, kind, being ^(C2)subject to their own husbands, ^(C3)so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Likewise urge ^(C1)the young men to be ^(F1)sensible;

in all things show yourself to be ^(C1)an example of good deeds, with ^(F1)purity in doctrine, dignified,

sound in speech which is beyond reproach, ^(C1)so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge ^(F1)(C1)slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not ^(F2)argumentative,

not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of ^(C1)God our Savior in every respect.

For the grace of God has ^(C1)appeared, ^(F1)(C2)bringing salvation to all people,

^(F1)instructing us to deny ungodliness and ^(C1)worldly desires and ^(C2)to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner ^(C3)in the present age,

looking for the blessed hope and the ^(C1)appearing of the glory of ^(F1)(C2)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

who ^(C1)gave Himself for us ^(C2)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to ^(C3)purify for Himself a ^(C4)people for His own possession, ^(C5)eager for good deeds.

These things speak and ^(F1)(C1)exhort, and ^(C1)rebuke with all authority. ^(C2)No one is to disregard you.

^(C1)Remind them ^(C2)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(C3)ready for every good deed,

to slander no one, ^(C1)not to be contentious, to be ^(C1)gentle, ^(C2)showing every consideration for all people.

^(C1)For we too were once foolish, ^(C2)disobedient, ^(C3)deceived, ^(C4)enslaved to ^(C5)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in ^(C6)malice and ^(C6)envy, hateful, hating one another.

But when the ^(C1)kindness of ^(C2)God our Savior and His love for mankind ^(C3)appeared,

^(C1)He saved us, ^(C2)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but ^(C3)in accordance with His mercy, by the ^(C4)washing of regeneration and ^(C5)renewing by the Holy Spirit,

^(C1)whom He ^(C2)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that being justified by His grace we would be made ^(C1)heirs ^(F1)according to the hope of eternal life.

^(C1)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I ^(C2)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have ^(C3)believed God will be careful to ^(C4)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.

But ^(C1)avoid ^(C2)foolish controversies and ^(C3)genealogies and strife and ^(C4)disputes about the Law, for they are ^(C5)useless and worthless.

^(C1)Reject a ^(F1)(C2)divisive person ^(C3)after a first and second warning,

knowing that such a person has ^(C1)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or ^(C1)Tychicus to you, ^(C2)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to ^(C3)spend the winter there.

Diligently help Zenas the ^(C1)lawyer and ^(C2)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.

^(C1)Our people must also learn to ^(C2)engage in good ^(F1)deeds to meet ^(C3)pressing needs, so that they will not be ^(C4)unproductive.

^(C1)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us ^(C2)in the faith. ^(C3)Grace be with you all.

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