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,

For there are many undisciplined people, who deceive themselves with their empty talk, especially those of the party of circumcision.

They must be silenced, for such men upset whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach, for the sake of dishonest gain.

They profess to know God, but they disown him by what they do; they are detestable, disobedient men, worthless for any good purpose.

For God's mercy has appeared and brought salvation to all men,

while we wait for the fulfilment of our blessed hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus.

He gave himself for us, to free us from all wickedness and purify for himself a people of his own, eager to do right.

Remind men to accept and obey the constituted authorities, to be ready for any useful service,

For we ourselves were once without understanding, disobedient, deluded, enslaved to all kinds of passions and pleasures. Our minds were full of malice and envy. Men hated us and we hated one another.

he saved us, not for any upright actions we had performed, but from his own mercy, through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the holy Spirit,

But have nothing to do with foolish controversies, pedigrees, strife, and wrangles about the Law, for they are profitless and futile.

You may be sure that a man of that kind is corrupt and sinful, for his own actions condemn him.

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