Titus 2:1-3:11

New International Version

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.^{(A) 2} Teach the older men^(B) to be temperate,^(C) worthy of respect, self-controlled,^(D) and sound in faith,^(E) in love and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(F) or addicted to much wine,^(G) but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women^(H) to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled^(I) and pure, to be busy at home,^(J) to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,^(K) so that no one will malign the word of God.^(L)

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men^(M) to be self-controlled.^{(N) 7} In everything set them an example^(O) by doing what is good.^(P) 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.^(Q)

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,^(R) 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^(S) attractive.^(T)

¹¹ For the grace^(U) of God has appeared^(V) that offers salvation to all people.^{(W) 12} It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,^(X) and to live self-controlled,^(Y) upright and godly lives^(Z) in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing^(AA) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,^{(AB) 14} who gave himself for us^(AC) to redeem us from all wickedness^(AD) and to purify^(AE) for himself a people that are his very own,^(AF) eager to do what is good.^(AG)

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,^(AH) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,^{(AI) 2} to slander no one,^(AJ) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time^(AK) 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^(AL) and love of God our Savior^(AM) appeared,^{(AN) 5} he saved us,^(AO) not because of righteous things we had done,^(AP) but because of his mercy.^(AQ) He saved us through the washing^(AR) of rebirth and renewal^(AS) by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us^(AT) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(AU) we might become heirs^(AV) having the hope^(AW) of eternal life.^{(AX) 8} This is a trustworthy saying.^(AY) 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.^(AZ) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

⁹ But avoid^(BA) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels^(BB) about the law,^(BC) because these are unprofitable and useless.^{(BD) 10} Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.^{(BE) 11} You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.