Titus

1:1 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;
1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
1:3 But hath in due times manifested His Word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
1:4 To Titus, [mine] own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father and the Lord Christ our Saviour.
1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are left undone, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
1:7 For an elder must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good things, sober, just, holy, temperate;
1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
1:12 One of themselves, [even] a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians [are] alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men [the Talmud], that turn from The Truth.
1:15 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
1:16 They claim that they know God; but in [their] works they deny [Him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2:3 The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holy women, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their [husband's] children,
2:5 [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [showing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
2:8 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.
2:9 [Exhort] servants to be obedient unto their own masters, [and] to please [them] well in all [things]; not answering them back [to gainsay them];
2:10 Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
2:11 For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared,
2:12 Teaching us that, denying unGodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world;
2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Almighty God and our Saviour Christ;
2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.
3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;
3:6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
3:7 That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of Eternal Life.
3:8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed God might be careful to maintain GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable unto men.
3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about The Law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second warning reject;
3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace [be] with you all. Amen.

<[It was written to Titus, ordained the first overseer of the community of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.]>

JAH