Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

and gives the expectation of eternal life, which the God of veracity promised so many ages ago;

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;

For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;

but the stranger's host, the good man's friend, grave, just, holy, temperate;

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error].

For there are many and disorderly vain speakers and deceivers of people's minds, specially those of the circumcision,

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

This description is true. So rebuke them sharply so that they will be sound in the faith and free from doctrinal error,

so as to make them sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

They say that they have knowledge of God, while by their acts they are turning their backs on him; they are hated by all, hard-hearted, and judged to be without value for any good work.

But say the things which fit sound doctrine,

Older men should be sober-minded [See note at I Tim. 3:2], dignified [i.e., respectable], sensible, sound in the faith [or, "in their faith"], in their love and in their perseverance.

that the elder women in like manner be in deportment as becoming those who have to say to sacred things, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is right;

so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children,

to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.

And so again with the younger men--impress upon them the need of discretion.

In all things see that you are an example of good works; holy in your teaching, serious in behaviour,

Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

not stealing [things, regardless of value], but proving themselves trustworthy, so that in every respect they will adorn and do credit to the teaching of God our Savior.

For God's unearned favor has appeared, bringing salvation to all people [i.e., in the coming of Christ].

Training us so that, turning away from evil and the desires of this world, we may be living wisely and uprightly in the knowledge of God in this present life;

Who gave himself for us, so that he might make us free from all wrongdoing, and make for himself a people clean in heart and on fire with good works.

Tell them these things. Encourage and rebuke with full authority. Let no one disregard or despise you [conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect].

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

"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,

whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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.

If a man is causing divisions among you, after warning him once or twice, have nothing more to say to him.

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

Our people must learn to do good deeds to meet necessary demands [whatever the occasion may require], so that they will not be unproductive.

All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with all of you.