Godly Living

(A)Remind them (B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be (C)ready for every good deed, to slander no one, (D)not to be contentious, to be (E)gentle, (F)showing every consideration for all people. (G)For we too were once foolish, (H)disobedient, (I)deceived, (J)enslaved to (K)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in (L)malice and (M)envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the (N)kindness of (O)God our Savior and His love for mankind (P)appeared, (Q)He saved us, (R)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but (S)in accordance with His mercy, by the (T)washing of regeneration and (U)renewing by the Holy Spirit, (V)whom He (W)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made (X)heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life. (Y)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I (Z)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have (AA)believed God will be careful to (AB)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. But (AC)avoid (AD)foolish controversies and (AE)genealogies and strife and (AF)disputes about the Law, for they are (AG)useless and worthless. 10 (AH)Reject a [b](AI)divisive person (AJ)after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person has (AK)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Concerns

12 When I send Artemas or (AL)Tychicus to you, (AM)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to (AN)spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the (AO)lawyer and (AP)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 (AQ)Our people must also learn to (AR)engage in good [c]deeds to meet (AS)pressing needs, so that they will not be (AT)unproductive.

15 (AU)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us (AV)in the faith.

(AW)Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Titus 3:7 Or of eternal life according to hope
  2. Titus 3:10 Or factious
  3. Titus 3:14 Or occupations

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