1   Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is ^note according to godliness;

2    ^noteIn hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised ^note before the world began;

3   But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

4   To Titus, my own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

5   For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are ^note wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6    ^noteIf any is blameless, the husband of one wife, having ^note faithful children, not accused of riot, or disorderly.

7   For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8   But a lover of hospitality, a lover of ^note good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9   Holding fast the faithful word ^note as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10   For there are many disorderly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11   Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of sordid gain.

12   One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13   This testimony is true: wherefore

A. D. 65. rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14    ^noteNot giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men that turn from the truth.

15    ^noteTo the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16   They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work ^note reprobate. CHAP. II. 1 Directions given to Titus both for his doctrine and life. 9 Of the duty of servants, and in general of all Christians.

1   But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2   That the aged men be ^note sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience;

3   The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh ^note holiness, not ^note false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4   That they may teach the young women to be ^note sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5   To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, ^note obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6   Young men likewise exhort to be ^note sober-minded.

7   In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8   Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say concerning you.

9   Exhort ^note servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not ^note answering again;

10   Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11   For the grace of God ^note that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12   Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;

13    ^noteLooking for that blessed hope, and the ^note glorious appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ;

14   Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15   These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. CHAP. III. 1 Titus is yet further directed by Paul, both concerning the things he should teach, and not teach: 10 He directs also to reject obstinate heretics: 12 which done he appointeth him both time and place, in which he should come to him; and so concludeth.

1   Put them in mind ^note to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2   To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness to all men.

3   For ^note we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4   But when the kindness and ^note love of God our Savior towards man appeared,

5    ^noteNot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;

6   Which he shed on us ^note abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;

7   That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8   This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

9   But ^note avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10   A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject;

11   Knowing that he who is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned by himself.

12   When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

13   Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing may be wanting to them.

14   And let ours also learn to ^note maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.

15   All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

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