TITUS

1¹Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which (brings) godliness, ²In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began, ³but has in His own time (made clear; proven; provided evidence; revealed) His word (in a proclamation), which is committed to me according to the [decree] of God our Savior;
⁴TO: Titus my own son after the (same) faith: grace, mercy and peace, from God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

⁵It was for this reason that I left you in Crete, that you'd set in order (the things) wanting (note: left undone when Paul left) and (appoint) elders, as I appointed you, (to oversee) the [Christians] in several cities, (note: destitute of elders who were duly appointed). ⁶If any man be (unaccused; irreproachable), the husband of one wife, having (believing) children not accused of (taking the wicked course in life) or unruly. ⁷Because a bishop must be (unaccused; irreproachable) as the steward of God, not self-willed, (hot tempered; irritable), not given to (drinking), not violent, (nor) given to filthy [sordid; base; ignoble; grasping; selfish] (behavior), ⁸but (instead) hospitable, lover of the good (in mankind), [discreet; prudent; cautious] just, holy, (good self control), ⁹holding (firm) the faithful word as he has been taught (so) he (will) be able (to use) sound doctrine to (urge; appeal; advise; discuss intelligently) and to [convict] the (unbelieving) disputers.

¹⁰(Because) they are many unruly and vain (empty; futile; fruitless) talkers and deceivers, especially those of the [law; traditions], ¹¹whose mouths must be stopped, who (completely over-throw; ruin) whole [families], teaching things they shouldn't for the sake of (sordid; selfishness; greed), ¹²One of them, their own prophets (gainsayer; contradicting and lying) said, "The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts (rude; cruel; brutal)(given to gluttony; are mere bellies)," ¹³this is a true testimony (of the general character). (So), rebuke (restrain; censure; reprimand) them sharply, that they may be (grounded) in the faith, ¹⁴not giving heed to Jewish fables (myths) or (moral conduct; actions; precepts) of men that turn from the truth. ¹⁵To the pure (in heart) all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and don't believe, nothing is pure; even their own conscience and minds are defiled. ¹⁶They profess to know God but in (behavior) deny Him, being (unfaithful) idolators and (unpersuadable), disobedient and (reject) every (upright behavior).

2¹(However), you speak the things that become sound doctrine: ²that the aged men be [discreet; prudent; cautious], [honorable], [use self control; moderate in opinions and passions] sound in the faith, LOVE and patience; ³and the aged women also, that their behavior becomes (that of one in sacred service), not false accusers (slanderers), not drinking too much, but teachers of good things, ⁴that they may teach (train and school) the young women to be (discreet; prudent; cautious) and to LOVE their husbands and children, ⁵to be discreet, chaste, keepers (workers) at home, good (kindly; gracious), obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God not be blasphemed (not spoken evil of). ⁶[Advise] the younger men, also, to be (discreet; prudent; cautious), ⁷in (everything) show yourself (an example) of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, (sedate), sincerity (true; genuine; honest), ⁸sound speech, that can't be condemned, (so the unbelieving opposer) may be ashamed, (unable to support) evil (slander) (about) you.

⁹[Advise] servants to be obedient to their (employers) and to please them well in (everything) without (contradiction; arguing; debate); ¹⁰not (stealing; keeping back for oneself) but showing all good (honesty; reliability; loyalty), that they may (give true testimony) of the doctrine of God, our Savior in (everything). ¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men, ¹²teaching us that, in this present age, we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and should live (calmly; steadily; sedately), justly and Godly, ¹³looking (forward) to that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us that He might redeem us from all [lawlessness] and purify to Himself a people of His own, zealous of good (behavior). ¹⁵Speak these things, advise, and (convict; convince; reprove) with all authority. Let no man despise you (claim respect).

3¹(Remind) them to be subject to (authorities), to obey magistrates, being (prepared), ready to (do) all good work, ²not to speak evil of (any) man, not to be brawlers (be peaceable), but (patient), showing all (humility) to all men. ³(Because) we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice, envy, hatefulness and hating one another. ⁴But the kindness and LOVE of God, our Savior, toward man appeared, ⁵not as a (legally) righteous (man), as we've done, but by (an act of) mercy He saved us, by the washing (baptism) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶which He (generously poured forth) on us through Jesus Christ, our Savior, ⁷that we should be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life (because)(we are) justified by His grace. ⁸(Consistently) affirm these faithful sayings so they who've believed in God might be careful to maintain good (behavior). These things are (desirable; yield gain; beneficial) to men.

⁹Avoid foolish questions, genealogies, contentions and (struggles; quarrels; fights) about the law; for they're (undesirable; without gain) and are (futile). ¹⁰A man that (opposes the word of God) warn him once and the second time reject, ¹¹(realizing) that such a man is (turned inside out) and sins, being self-condemned.

¹²When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis; for I've determined to winter there. ¹³Bring Zenas, the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently so they'll lack nothing. ¹⁴And let our (brothers in Crete) also learn to maintain good behavior for (whatever the occasion may demand of) them, that they (learn Christian graces for themselves). ¹⁵All that are with me greet you. Greet those that LOVE us in the faith. Grace with you all. Amen.