Titus 1

Greeting

1 From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was sent to lead God’s chosen people to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to a godly life.2 My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. God, who never lies, promised this eternal life before the world began.

3 God has revealed this in every era by spreading his word. I was entrusted with this word by the command of God our Savior.
4 To Titus, a genuine child in the faith we share.Good willt and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior are yours!

Guidelines for Leaders in the Church

5 I left you in Crete to do what still needed to be done—appointing spiritual leaderst in every city as I directed you.6 A spiritual leader must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife and have children who are believers. His children shouldn’t be known for having wild lifestyles or being rebellious.7 Because a bishopt is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money.8 Instead, he must be hospitable, love what is good, use good judgment, be fair and moral, and have self-control.

9 He must be devoted to the trustworthy message we teach. Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word.

Correct Whoever Teaches What Is Wrong

10 There are many believers, especially converts from Judaism, who are rebellious. They speak nonsense and deceive people.

11 They must be silenced because they are ruining whole families by teaching what they shouldn’t teach. This is the shameful way they make money.
12 Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, savage animals, and lazy gluttons.”13 That statement is true. For this reason, sharply correct believers so that they continue to have faith that is alive and well.14 They shouldn’t pay attention to Jewish myths or commands given by people who are always rejecting the truth.15 Everything is cleant to those who are clean. But nothing is clean to corrupt unbelievers. Indeed, their minds and their consciences are corrupted.

16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

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.