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Remind them to be "V’NISHMA" ("obedient, and we will obey!" SHEMOT 24:7) to sarim (rulers), to shiltonim (authorities), to be submissive, to be obedient, ready for every ma’aseh tov.

Speak lashon hora of no one, be not ohev riv (quarrelsome). Be eidel (gentle), displaying anavah (meekness) to kol Bnei Adam.

For all of us were once without da’as, sorrarim (disobedient), being led astray, avadim (slaves) of ta’avot and to various ta’anugot (pleasures) of the Olam Hazeh, spending our lives in eyvah (enmity BERESHIS 3:15) and kina (jealousy), hated, and hating one another.

But when the Chen v’Chesed and the ahavas Hashem Moshieynu appeared to Bnei Adam,

Not by tzidkateynu (our righteousness) in ma’asim tovim which is to our zchus (merit), but according to His rachamim, He granted us Yeshu’at Eloheynu through the mikveh mayim ruchani of rebirth and renewing of the Ruach Hakodesh [Yn 3:3],

Which Hashem poured out on us richly through Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua Moshieynu,

That, having been made YITZDAK IM HASHEM (IYOV 25:4) by the Chen v’Chesed of Hashem, we might become yoreshim (heirs) in the tikvah HaChayyei Olam.

This dvar Emes is trustworthy. And I counsel you to strongly affirm the divrei torah I am handing on to you, that those who have become ma’aminim in Hashem may be shomer for ma’asim tovim. These things to Bnei Adam are good, tov me’od.

But pilpul minutiae controversies and toldot and quarrels and fights about the Torah, avoid, for they are unprofitable hevel.

10 An ish hacholek (a man of division, a divisive man) after one or two warnings, avoid,

11 Having da’as that such a man is perverted and sinful, bringing harsha’ah (condemnation) upon himself.

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, try to come to me at Nicopolis, for there I have decided to spend the choref (winter).

13 Do your utmost to speed Zenas, the Ben Torah (scholar), and Apollos on their way, that nothing for them may be lacking.

14 Let anshei adateynu (the men of our community) learn to be concerned about ma’asim tovim so as to supply urgent needs, that they may not be lo poreh (unfruitful).

15 Drishat Shalom from all the ones with me. Drishat Shalom to those who have ahavah for us in the emunah [of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach]. Chen v’Chesed Hashem to all of you. [T.N. In the next letter, Rav Sha’ul’s ministry bore fruit in freedom in a messianic shtiebel in Colossae for a slave boy who had run away in the shackles of sin before Moshiach the Go’el set him free.]

Concentrate on Doing What is Good

Remind believers[a] to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work. They are not to insult[b] anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and perfectly courteous to everyone. After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another.

In grace our Savior God appeared,
    to make his love for mankind clear.
‘Twas not for deeds that we had done,
    but by his steadfast love[c] alone,
he saved us through a second birth,
    renewed us by the Spirit’s[d] work,
and poured him out upon us, too,
    through Jesus the Messiah[e] our Savior true.
And so, made heirs by his own grace,
    eternal life we now embrace.[f]

This saying is trustworthy.[g] I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people.

But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless. 10 Have nothing to do with a divisive person after you have warned him once or twice. 11 For you know that a person like this is corrupt and keeps on sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Instructions to Titus

12 As soon as I send Artemas to you, or perhaps Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do all you can to send Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on their way, and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our own people should also learn to make good deeds a priority when urgent needs arise, so they won’t be unproductive.

Final Greeting

15 All who are with me send you greetings. Greet our fellow believers who love us. May grace be with all of you! Amen.[h]

Footnotes

  1. Titus 3:1 Lit. them
  2. Titus 3:2 Or slander
  3. Titus 3:5 Or his mercy
  4. Titus 3:5 Lit. the Holy Spirit’s
  5. Titus 3:6 Or Christ
  6. Titus 3:7 Lit. we have become heirs according to the hope of eternal life
  7. Titus 3:8 This formula accompanied early Christian sayings on which full reliance could be placed.
  8. Titus 3:15 Other mss. lack Amen