At one time(A) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness(B) and love of God our Savior(C) appeared,(D) he saved us,(E) not because of righteous things we had done,(F) but because of his mercy.(G) He saved us through the washing(H) of rebirth and renewal(I) by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us(J) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace,(K) we might become heirs(L) having the hope(M) of eternal life.(N) This is a trustworthy saying.(O) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.(P) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

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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.