Titus 3
Contemporary English Version
Doing Helpful Things
3 Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone. 3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.
4 God our Savior showed us
how good and kind he is.
5 He saved us because
of his mercy,
and not because
of any good things
we have done.
God washed us by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
He gave us new birth
and a fresh beginning.
6 God sent Jesus Christ
our Savior
to give us his Spirit.
7 Jesus treated us much better
than we deserve.
He made us acceptable to God
and gave us the hope
of eternal life.
8 This message is certainly true.
These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds. 9 But don't have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
10 Warn troublemakers once or twice. Then don't have anything else to do with them. 11 You know their minds are twisted, and their own sins show how guilty they are.
Personal Instructions and Greetings
12 (A) I plan to send Artemas or Tychicus to you. After he arrives, please try your best to meet me at Nicopolis. I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 (B) When Zenas the lawyer and Apollos get ready to leave, help them as much as you can, so they won't have need of anything.
14 Our people should learn to spend their time doing something useful and worthwhile.
15 Greetings to you from everyone here. Greet all of our friends who share in our faith.
I pray that the Lord will be kind to all of you!
Titus 3
King James Version
3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Titus 3
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Christian Living among Outsiders
3 Remind them to be submissive(A) to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness(B) to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions(C) and pleasures,(D) living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love
for mankind appeared,(E)
5 He saved us(F)—
not by works of righteousness that we had done,(G)
but according to His mercy,(H)
through the washing of regeneration(I)
and renewal by the Holy Spirit.(J)
6 He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly(K)
through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that having been justified by His grace,(L)
we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.(M)
8 This saying is trustworthy.(N) I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish debates,(O) genealogies,(P) quarrels,(Q) and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive(R) person after a first and second warning,(S) 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Closing
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you,(T) make every effort to come to me(U) in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos(V) on their journey, so that they will lack(W) nothing.
14 And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.(X) 15 All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.(Y)
Titus 3
New King James Version
Graces of the Heirs of Grace
3 Remind them (A)to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, (B)to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For (C)we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when (D)the kindness and the love of (E)God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 (F)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through (G)the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 (H)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace (I)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 (J)This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Avoid Dissension
9 But (K)avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 (L)Reject a divisive man after the first and second [a]admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Final Messages
12 When I send Artemas to you, or (M)Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and (N)Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Farewell
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Titus 3:10 warning
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Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
