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
Common English Bible
3 1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities. They should be obedient and ready to do every good thing. 2 They shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about anyone, but they should be peaceful, kind, and show complete courtesy toward everyone. 3 We were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and slaves to our desires and various pleasures too. We were spending our lives in evil behavior and jealousy. We were disgusting, and we hated other people. 4 But “when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared, 5 he saved us because of his mercy, not because of righteous things we had done. He did it through the washing of new birth and the renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 which God poured out upon us generously through Jesus Christ our savior. 7 So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life.” 8 This saying is reliable. And I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God might give careful attention to doing good. These things are good and useful for everyone.
Final instructions and greetings
9 Avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, and fights about the Law, because they are useless and worthless. 10 After a first and second warning, have nothing more to do with a person who causes conflict, 11 because you know that someone like this is twisted and sinful—so they condemn themselves.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, try to come to me in Nicopolis, because I’ve decided to spend the winter there. 13 Help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with enthusiasm so that they won’t need anything. 14 But our people should also learn to devote themselves to doing good in order to meet pressing needs so they aren’t unproductive.
15 Everyone with me greets you; greet those who love us faithfully.
Grace be with all of you.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible