in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

but he has in his own times manifested his word by preaching, which was committed to me ac cording to the commandment of God our Savior;

For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest go on to set right what remained unordered, and establish elders in each city, as I had ordered thee:

each elder must be above reproach, have only one wife, and his children must not be liable to the charge of profligacy or disobedience.

For we also were formerly foolish, disobedient, being led astray, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in evil and envy, hateful, hating each other.