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 quarreling,

Remind [the believers] that they should submit to all those who rule them or have authority over them, and that they should obey them. They should be ready to do anything that is helpful.

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

They should never say bad things about anyone, they should not quarrel with people, they should be patient [when others] ([irritate them/do things that they do not like]), [and they should] always treat all people as important.

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.

[Remind your congregations about these things] because formerly we [believers] ourselves were also foolish, just like [all people who do not believe in Christ are now. We] did not obey ([God]/God’s message). [We let] others deceive us. We (spent all our time doing/continually did) what is evil and could not stop ourselves from doing all the things that our bodies liked [DOU]. We were (envying others/desiring to have what others have). We were causing people to hate us and we were hating one another.

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

Even though we were behaving sinfully like this, God our Savior [acted] kindly and lovingly to us [PRS], [and saved us]! He did this, not because we did things that are right, but just because he [wanted to be] merciful to us! He washed [us inwardly and gave] us a new way of living as a result of the Holy Spirit changing us inwardly.

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,

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

[Because we trusted in] Jesus Christ our Savior, God put the Holy Spirit within us [in order to] wonderfully [change us].

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

He wanted to erase the record of our sins even though we did not deserve that, and he wanted us to receive all that [God desires] to give us. [These are the things that we] confidently expect to receive when we live [with him] eternally. (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.

These words that [I] have written are trustworthy. So, I want you to confidently teach the things [that I have written about in this letter] to those who have trusted in God, in order that they will be constantly devoted/attempting to do deeds that are good and helpful for others. Titus 3:8b-11 These [teachings] are beneficial and profitable for [all] people,

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 there are people who foolishly dispute/argue [with you, wanting you to believe] senseless ([myths/stories that came from your ancestors]), stories in which there are (genealogies/lists of your ancestors’ names). They argue and quarrel [with you], ([insisting/telling you]) [that you must obey] the [Jewish] laws. (Stay [completely] away from/Do not talk with) them, because [arguing about such things] is not profitable [for anyone. It is completely] worthless!

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

Those people, [by teaching things that are false], are causing others (to turn away from/to quit believing) the true teachings. You must warn them [that God will judge them if they continue doing that. If they do not stop], warn them one more time. [If they still do not stop], then no [longer] have anything o do with them.

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

You will know [clearly] that such persons have [deliberately] (turned away [from/quit believing and obeying]) [the true teachings]. They know that they are doing what is sinful, [but they deliberately keep on doing it].

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.

I [expect to] send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. [As soon as one of them arrives], (make every effort/try hard) to come to me [quickly] at Nicopolis [city], because it is there that I have decided to [go and] stay during the stormy/winter [season].

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

As for Zenas (the lawyer/the expert in the law) and Apollos, [when they are ready to leave Crete Island], help them as much as you can in order that they may have everything [LIT] that [they need as they travel].

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.

Moreover, our [fellow believers] also should learn (to devote themselves to [doing/] constantly [do]) good deeds [for people] who need help in order that they, our fellow believers, will live very useful [LIT] 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.

[As I finish this letter], everyone who is with me (says that they are thinking affectionately about you/wants me to send greetings to you). Tell those who are [there] who love us and believe [as we do] that we (are thinking affectionately about/greet) them. I pray/desire that our Lord Jesus Christ will continue to act kindly toward all of you.