For (A)we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when (B)the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, (C)not because of works done by us in righteousness, but (D)according to his own mercy, by (E)the washing of regeneration and (F)renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he (G)poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that (H)being justified by his grace we might become (I)heirs (J)according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is (K)trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful (L)to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

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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[a] alone,
he saved us through a second birth,
    renewed us by the Spirit’s[b] work,
and poured him out upon us, too,
    through Jesus the Messiah[c] our Savior true.
And so, made heirs by his own grace,
    eternal life we now embrace.[d]

This saying is trustworthy.[e] 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.

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Footnotes

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