Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of the chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth that [is] according 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,

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

if any one be free from all charge against him, husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of excess or unruly.

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

And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach—whether in public or in private].

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

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the 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 [to recognize and be acquainted with Him], but by their actions they deny and disown Him. They are detestable and disobedient and worthless for good work of any kind.

But as for you, teach the things which are in agreement with sound doctrine [which produces men and women of good character whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christians].

Likewise, older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of goodness.

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 the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

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

Remind them to be subject to the rulers [and] to the authorities, to obey, to be prepared for every good work,

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

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

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

"Twas not for deeds that we had done, but by his steadfast love alone, he saved us through a second birth, renewed us by the Spirit's work,

This is a faithful and trustworthy saying; and concerning these things I want you to speak with great confidence, so that those who have believed God [that is, those who have trusted in, relied on, and accepted Christ Jesus as Savior,] will be careful to participate in doing good and honorable things. These things are excellent [in themselves] and profitable for the people.

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

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, as you know, a man of that description has turned aside from the right path and is a sinner self-condemned.

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

Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they are supplied and lack nothing.

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