Titus 3

1 Remind them to respect and obey the rulers and authorities, to be ready for every kind of good work, to slander no one, to avoid quarrelling,

Remind people that they must submit to the rulers who are in authority over them; that they must obey the magistrates, be prepared for every right action,

2 to be reasonable, and under all circumstances to show a gentle spirit with all.

not speak evil of any one, nor be contentious, but yield unselfishly to others and constantly manifest a forgiving spirit towards all men.

3 There was a time when we ourselves were foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to all kinds of desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hating ourselves and hating one another.

For there was a time when we also were deficient in understanding, obstinate, deluded, the slaves of various cravings and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

4 But, when the kindness of God our Saviour and his love for humanity appeared, he saved us,

But when the goodness of God our Saviour, and His love to man, dawned upon us, not in consequence of things which we,

5 not as the result of any righteous actions that we had done, but due to his mercy. He saved us though the washing of rebirth and renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit,

as righteous men, had done, but as the result of His own mercy He saved us by means of the bath of regeneration and the renewal of our natures by the Holy Spirit,

6 which he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour –

which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 so that, having been put right with God through his grace, we become heirs to the hope of eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

in order that having been declared righteous through His grace we might become heirs to the Life of the Ages in fulfilment of our hopes. (aiōnios g166)

8 This saying is trustworthy! And it is on these subjects that I want you to lay special emphasis, so that those who have learned to trust in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing good. Such subjects are excellent in themselves, and of benefit to all.

This is a faithful saying, and on these various points I would have you insist strenuously, in order that those who have their faith fixed on God may be careful to set an example of good actions. For these are not only good in themselves, but are also useful to mankind.

9 But have nothing to do with foolish controversies, or with genealogies, or with quarrels, or fights about the Law. They are useless and futile.

But hold yourself aloof from foolish controversies and pedigrees and discussions and wrangling about the Law, for they are useless and vain.

10 If someone is causing divisions among you then, after giving them a second warning, excuse yourself from them.

After a first and second admonition, have nothing further to do with any one who will not be taught;

11 You can be sure that such a person has forsaken the truth and is in the wrong. They stand self-condemned.

for, as you know, a man of that description has turned aside from the right path and is a sinner self-condemned.

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me as quickly as possible at Nicopolis, for I have arranged to spend the winter there.

After I have sent Artemas or Tychicus to you, lose no time in joining me at Nicopolis; for I have decided to pass the winter there.

13 Do your best to help Zenas, the teacher of the Law, and Apollos, on their way, and see that they want for nothing.

Help Zenas the lawyer forward on his journey with special care, and Apollos, so that they may have all they require.

14 Let all our people learn to devote themselves to doing good, so as to meet the most pressing needs, and that their lives may not be unfruitful.

And let our people too learn to set a good example in following honest occupations for the supply of their necessities, so that they may not live useless lives.

15 All who are with me here send you their greeting. Give my greeting to our friends in the faith. God bless you all.

Every one here sends you greeting. Greet the believers who hold us dear. May grace be with you all.