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Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
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in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
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and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
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To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
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Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
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Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
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Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
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This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
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To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
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They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
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Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
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Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
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to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
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In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
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and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
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For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
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It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
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while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
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who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
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These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
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Saved in Order to Do Good
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
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At one time 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.
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But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
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This is a trustworthy saying. 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. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
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Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.