Titus 1:1-7

English Standard Version

Greeting

1 Paul, a servant^[a] of God and ^(A)an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and ^(B)their knowledge of the truth, ^(C)which accords with godliness, ²^(D)in hope of eternal life, which God, ^(E)who never lies, ^(F)promised ^(G)before the ages began^[b] ³and ^(H)at the proper time manifested in his word^[c] ^(I)through the preaching ^(J)with which I have been entrusted ^(K)by the command of God our Savior;

⁴To Titus, ^(L)my true child in ^(M)a common faith:

^(N)Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications for Elders

⁵^(O)This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and ^(P)appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ⁶^(Q)if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife,^[d] and his children are believers^[e] and not open to the charge of ^(R)debauchery or insubordination. ⁷For an overseer,^[f] ^(S)as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not ^(T)be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent ^(U)or greedy for gain,