Titus

The Epistle of Paul to Titus

^1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, ^1:2in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; ^1:3but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour; ^1:4to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. ^1:5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; ^1:6if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. ^1:7For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; ^1:8but given to hospitality, as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled; ^1:9holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers. ^1:10For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, ^1:11whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. ^1:12One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. ^1:13This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ^1:14not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. ^1:15To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. ^1:16They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

^2:1But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine: ^2:2that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: ^2:3that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; ^2:4that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ^2:5to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed: ^2:6the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded: ^2:7in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, ^2:8sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us. ^2:9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; ^2:10not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. ^2:11For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ^2:12instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; ^2:13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ^2:14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. ^2:15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

^3:1Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, ^3:2to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men. ^3:3For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. ^3:4But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, ^3:5not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ^3:6which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ^3:7that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ^3:8Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: ^3:9but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ^3:10A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; ^3:11knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. ^3:12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter. ^3:13Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. ^3:14And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. ^3:15All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all.

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