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,

For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,

For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism.

It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly.

They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.

For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people,

while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love
for mankind appeared,

This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful.