Titus

1   Paulus, a slave of God, but an ambassador of Yeshua the Anointed, for the faith of the selected of God, and for the recognition of the truth according to devoutness, in expectation of everlasting life, which the free of falsehood^a God promised before times everlasting, and who has manifested his message in his own time, through the proclamation which was entrusted to me, according to the command of God, our saviour.

    To Titus, my legitimate child according to a common faith.

    Grace, mercy, peace, from God the father and from the lord Yeshua the Anointed, our saviour.

    For this reason, I left you^- in Crete — so that you^- should set anything which is lacking in order, and should install elders in every town, as I prescribed to you^-: anyone who’s above reproach, the husband of one woman, who has trustworthy children, not under accusation of being wasteful or insubordinate, (for the watchman has to be above reproach as a steward of God), not presumptuous, not easily angered, not given to wine, not a brawler, not greedy for gain, but hospitable, fond of goodness, sensible, righteous, hallowed, self-controlled, holding on, (according to the teaching), to the trustworthy message so that he may also be able to entreat with sound teaching, and to expose those who contradict it.

    For there are many insubordinate, idle talkers, and mind deceivers, especially those from the circumcision, those who must be curbed, who upset entire households, teaching things they shouldn’t be, for the sake of shameful gain.

    A certain one of them, one of their own prophets, has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies.” This testimony is true. So for that reason, expose them abruptly, so they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish stories and commands of people, turning from the truth.

    Indeed, all is clean to the clean, but to the defiled and untrusting, nothing’s clean, and even their mind and conscience have been defiled. They profess to know God, but they’re denying it by their works, being abominable, and disobedient, and rejected for every good work.

2   But you^-, speak what’s appropriate for sound teaching. Older men should be sober, worthy of respect, sensible, sound in the faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women, similarly, in a way befitting sacred people, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of good things, so that they may moderate the young women, to be fond of their husbands, fond of their children, sensible, pure, stewards of their household, good, being subject to their husbands, so that the message of God won’t be spoken evil of. Entreat the younger men similarly, to be of a sound mind.

    In all things present yourself as a model of good^a works, in teaching — seriousness, incorruption, a sound message which can’t be condemned, so that the one who opposes it might be ashamed when they don’t have anything low to say about us.

    Slaves should be subject to their own owners, to be pleasing in all things, not answering back, not robbing, but showing good faith to all, so that in all things they may adorn the teaching of God our saviour.

    For the saving grace of God has been revealed to all people, educating us, so that, having denied ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sanely, and righteously, and devoutly in the present age. Anticipating the blessed expectation and appearance of the glory of our great god and saviour, Yeshua the Anointed, who gave himself for our sake, so that he should ransom us back from all lawlessness, and purify to himself a people of his own, zealous for good^a works.

    Speak these things, and entreat and expose with all authority. Don’t let anybody despise you^-.

3   Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to submit, ready to do every good work, to not speak evil, not contentious, fair, showing all gentleness to all people. For we were also ignorant once, disobedient, wandering astray, slaves to desires and various pleasures, passing life in evil and envy, detestable and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of mankind of God our saviour was revealed, (not because of works in righteousness which we’ve done, but because of his mercy), he saved us through a bathing of regeneration, and of renewing of the holy spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Yeshua the Anointed, our saviour, so that having been declared righteous by that grace, we may become heirs according to the expectation of everlasting life.

    This is a trustworthy message, and concerning these things I intend you^- to maintain them strongly, so that those who have trusted God may be focused on good^a works. These things are good^a and beneficial to those people. But give a wide berth to foolish questions and genealogies, and contentions and quarrels about the law, because they’re unbeneficial and futile. After a first, and then a second admonition, have nothing to do with a heretical person, knowing that such a person is twisted, and is sinning, being self condemned.

    When I send Artemas to you^-, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me in Nicopolis, for I’ve decided to winter there. Diligently send forth Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, so they don’t lack anything. And let our own learn good^a works, providing for the necessary needs, so that they may not be unfruitful.

    All those with me greet you^-. Greet those who are fond of us in the faith.

    Grace is with all of you⁼.

    Amen^b.