² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Be Loyal to the Faith

^13 (A)Hold fast ^(B)the pattern of ^(C)sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, ^(A)nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Qualified Elders

⁵ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should ^(A)set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— ⁶ if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, ^(B)having faithful children not accused of ^[a]dissipation or insubordination. ⁷ For a ^[b]bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, ^(C)not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

The Man of God and the Word of God

^10 (A)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

^10 (A)He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. ¹¹ Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? ¹² And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your ^(B)own?

⁴² And the Lord said, ^(A)“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food ^[a]in due season?