Titus 3
New Testament for Everyone
God’s kindness and generosity—and ours
3 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 2 They are not to speak evil of anyone, nor to be quarrelsome, but to be kindly. They must be completely gentle with everyone.
3 We ourselves, you see, used at one time to be foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to various kinds of passions and pleasures. We spent our time in wickedness and jealousy. We were despicable in ourselves, and we hated one another. 4 But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not by works that we did in righteousness, but in accordance with his own mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewal of the holy spirit, 6 which was poured out richly upon us through Jesus the Messiah, our savior, 7 so that we might be justified by his grace and be made his heirs, in accordance with the hope of the life of the age to come. 8 The saying is sure.
Watch out for disputes and divisions
I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may take care to be energetic in good works. Such things are good and profitable for people. 9 But stay well clear of foolish disputes, genealogies, quarrels and squabbles about the law; they serve no purpose, and are worthless. 10 If someone is causing divisions, give them a first warning, then a second, and then avoid them. 11 You know that a person like that is twisted, sinful and self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas to you, or maybe Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis. That’s where I’ve decided to spend the winter. 13 Give a really good send-off to Zenas the lawyer and Apollos; make sure they don’t go short of anything. 14 All our people must learn to busy themselves with good works, so that they may meet any urgent needs that arise, and not be unfruitful.
15 All the people with me send you their greetings. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all.
Titus 3
New International Reader's Version
Do What Is Good Because You Are Saved
3 Remind God’s people to obey rulers and authorities. Remind them to be ready to do what is good. 2 Tell them not to speak evil things against anyone. Remind them to live in peace. They must consider the needs of others. They must always be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too acted like fools. We didn’t obey God. We were tricked. We were controlled by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We were full of evil. We wanted what belongs to others. People hated us, and we hated one another. 4 But the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. 5 He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life. 6 God poured out the Spirit on us freely. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done. 7 His grace made us right with God. So now we have received the hope of eternal life as God’s children. 8 You can trust this saying. These things are important. Treat them that way. Then those who trust in God will be careful to commit themselves to doing good. These things are excellent. They are for the good of everyone.
9 But keep away from foolish disagreements. Don’t argue about family histories. Don’t make trouble. Don’t fight about what the law teaches. Don’t argue about things like that. It doesn’t do any good. It doesn’t help anyone. 10 Warn anyone who tries to get believers to separate from one another. Warn that person more than once. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You can be sure that people like this are twisted and sinful. Their own actions judge them.
Final Words
12 I will send Artemas or Tychicus to you. Then do your best to come to me at Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos. Send them on their way. See that they have everything they need.
14 Our people must learn to commit themselves to doing what is good. Then they can provide for people when they are in great need. If they do that, their lives won’t turn out to be useless.
15 Everyone who is with me sends you greetings.
Greet those who love us in the faith.
May God’s grace be with you all.
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.
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