⁵ For indeed, ^(A)when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but ^(B)we were troubled on every side. ^(C)Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless ^(D)God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by ^(E)the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the ^[a]consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

⁸ For even if I made you ^(F)sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; ^(G)though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For ^(H)godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; ^(I)but the sorrow of the world produces death. ¹¹ For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what ^(J)clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be ^(K)clear in this matter. ¹² Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, ^(L)but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

The Joy of Titus

¹³ Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit ^(M)has been refreshed by you all. ¹⁴ For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. ¹⁵ And his affections are greater for you as he remembers ^(N)the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. ¹⁶ Therefore I rejoice that ^(O)I have confidence in you in everything.

Qualities of a Sound Church

2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: ² that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; ³ the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— ⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, ^(A)homemakers, good, ^(B)obedient to their own husbands, ^(C)that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be ^(D)a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, ^(E)incorruptibility,^{[a] 8} sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of ^[b]you.

⁹ Exhort ^(F)bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰ not ^[c]pilfering, but showing all good ^[d]fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Trained by Saving Grace

¹¹ For ^(G)the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ^13 (H)looking for the blessed ^(I)hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ^14 (J)who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed ^(K)and purify for Himself ^(L)His own special people, zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Speak these things, ^(M)exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.