Titus
1
Greeting
1 From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was sent to lead God’s chosen people to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to a godly life.
2 My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. God, who never lies, promised this eternal life before the world began.
3 God has revealed this in every era by spreading his word. I was entrusted with this word by the command of God our Savior.
4 To Titus, a genuine child in the faith we share.
Good will and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior are yours!
Guidelines for Leaders in the Church
5 I left you in Crete to do what still needed to be done—appointing spiritual leaders in every city as I directed you.
6 A spiritual leader must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife and have children who are believers. His children shouldn’t be known for having wild lifestyles or being rebellious.
7 Because a bishop is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money.
8 Instead, he must be hospitable, love what is good, use good judgment, be fair and moral, and have self-control.
9 He must be devoted to the trustworthy message we teach. Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word.
Correct Whoever Teaches What Is Wrong
10 There are many believers, especially converts from Judaism, who are rebellious. They speak nonsense and deceive people.
11 They must be silenced because they are ruining whole families by teaching what they shouldn’t teach. This is the shameful way they make money.
12 Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, savage animals, and lazy gluttons.”
13 That statement is true. For this reason, sharply correct believers so that they continue to have faith that is alive and well.
14 They shouldn’t pay attention to Jewish myths or commands given by people who are always rejecting the truth.
15 Everything is clean to those who are clean. But nothing is clean to corrupt unbelievers. Indeed, their minds and their consciences are corrupted.
16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.