Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;3 but in his own seasons manifested his word in the message, wherewith I was intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour;4 to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;6 if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.7 For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;8 but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.10 For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision,11 whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.13 This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.15 To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.16 They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Titus 1

Salutation

1 From Paul,t a slavets of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faitht of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that is in keeping with godliness,2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the ages began.t3 But now in his own timet he has made his message evident through the preaching I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior.

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

Titus’ Task on Crete

5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set in order the remaining matters and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.6 An elder must be blameless,t the husband of one wife,t with faithful childrent who cannot be charged with dissipation or rebellion.7 For the overseers must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work,t not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.8 Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

9 He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught,t so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teachingt and correct those who speak against it.
10 For there are manys rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections,t11 who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.12 A certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”s13 Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith14 and not pay attention to Jewish mythss and commands of people who reject the truth.15 All is pure to those who are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

16 They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.