I left you behind in Crete expressly to correct what defects there were, and to appoint elders in each town, as I directed you??6 men of irreproachable character, who have been married only once, whose children are Christians, free from any suspicion of profligacy or disobedience.

For as God's overseer a superintendent must be irreproachable, not arrogant or quick-tempered or given to drink or pugnacious or addicted to dishonest gain,

standing by the message that can be relied on, just as he was taught it, so that he may be qualified both to encourage others with wholesome teaching and to show the error of those who oppose him.

so as to train the younger women to be loving wives and mothers,

and to be sensible, pure-minded, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so as not to bring reproach on God's message.

or steal from them, but to show such perfect good faith as to do credit to the teaching about God our Savior, by everything they do.

Have our people learn to make it their business to do good, so as to meet these pressing demands and not live unfruitful lives.