I did not take you with me when I went away from Crete, so that you might do what was necessary to put things in order there, placing men in authority over the churches in every town, as I said to you;

Men having a good record, husbands of one wife, whose children are of the faith, children of whom it may not be said that they are given to loose living or are uncontrolled.

For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;

For there are men who are not ruled by law; foolish talkers, false teachers, specially those of the circumcision,

By whom some families have been completely overturned; who take money for teaching things which are not right; these will have to be stopped.

That old women are to be self-respecting in behaviour, not saying evil of others, not given to taking much wine, teachers of that which is good,

Saying true and right words, against which no protest may be made, so that he who is not on our side may be put to shame, unable to say any evil of us.

Not taking what is not theirs, but giving clear signs of their good faith, in all things doing credit to the teaching of God our Saviour.

To say no evil of any man, not to be fighters, to give way to others, to be gentle in behaviour to all men.

Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but in the measure of his mercy, he gave us salvation, through the washing of the new birth and the giving of new life in the Holy Spirit,

A man whose opinions are not those of the church, after a first and second protest, is to be kept out of your society;

Send Zenas, the man of law, and Apollos on their journey with all care, so that they may be in need of nothing.

And let our people go on with good works for necessary purposes, so that they may not be without fruit.