Salutation

Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;

To Titus, my true son in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications of Elders

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,

but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined,

holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain.

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,

Proclaim Sound Doctrine

But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;

in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,

sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not argumentative,

not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people,

instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age,

looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. No one is to disregard you.

Godly Living

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people.