Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,

[and provides] hope for never ending life. God, who cannot lie, promised this [life] before the beginning of time,

but manifested his word in the times which were suitable for it by the preaching with which I was intrusted, according to the command of our Saviour God,

I left you in Crete for this express purpose, to set in order the things that are lacking, and to appoint elders in each town, as I directed you --

[An elder must] not be guilty of just blame, [he must be] the husband of one wife, whose children are believers [Note: The word for "believers" may also be translated "faithful ones" or "trustworthy ones"], who have a reputation for not being wild or disobedient.

For as God's trustee a pastor must be above reproach, not stubborn or quick-tempered or addicted to strong drink or pugnacious or addicted to dishonest gain,

On the contrary, he should be hospitable, eager for the right discreet, upright, a man of holy life and capable of self-restraint,

For there are many insubordinate people, mere talkers with nothing to say, but deceivers of their own minds, especially those of the circumcision party,

whose mouths must be stopped, for they upset whole families by teaching things they ought not to think, for the sake of dishonest gain.

This witness, is true, - for which cause, be reproving them sharply, that they may be healthy in their faith,

For the pure all things are pure, but nothing is pure for the polluted and unbelieving; their very mind and conscience are polluted.

They profess to know God, but by their actions they disown Him; they are detestable, disobedient, and useless for anything good.

You must continue telling the people what is proper for wholesome teaching:

Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.

Training the younger women to have love for their husbands and children,

And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified,

and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the person who opposes [us] will have to be ashamed for not having anything bad to say about us.

or keeping [part of their master's] property for themselves, but proving to be completely trustworthy, so that they will make the teaching of God our Savior attractive in every way.

For God's favor has appeared with its offer of salvation to all mankind,

while we are waiting for the realization of our blessed hope at the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus,

who gave Himself for us to ransom us from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people to be His very own, zealous of good works.

Constantly remind people to submit to and obey the rulers who have authority over them, so as to be ready for any good enterprise,

to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

For once we too were without understanding, disobedient, misled, habitual slaves to all sorts of passions and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy.

But, when, the graciousness and affection for man of our Saviour God, shone forth,

He saved us, not for upright deeds that we had done, but in accordance with His mercy, through the bath of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

This saying is trustworthy. On this I want you to firmly insist; that those who have faith in God must be careful to maintain honest occupations. Such counsels are good and profitable for men.

But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies, pedigrees, strife, and wrangles about the law, for these are fruitless and futile.

After a first and second warning reject a divisive man [who promotes heresy and causes dissension—ban him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him],

for you may be sure that such a man is crooked and sinful, even self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Give a hearty send-off to Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, so that they may want for nothing.

And also let our men learn to be in the lead of good works for the essential needs, so that they may not be unfruitful.