CHAPTER 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; **2** In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; **3** But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; **4** To Titus, _mine_ own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, _and_ peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. **5** For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: **6** If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. **7** For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; **8** But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; **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. **10** For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: **11** Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. **12** One of themselves, _even_ a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians _are_ alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. **13** This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; **14** Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. **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. **16** They profess that they know God; but in works they deny _him_, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. CHAPTER 2 **1** But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: **2** That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. **3** The aged women likewise, that _they be_ in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; **4** That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, **5** _To be_ discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. **6** Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. **7** In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine _shewing_ uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, **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. **9** _Exhort_ servants to be obedient unto their own masters, _and_ to please _them_ well in all _things_; not answering again; **10** Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. **11** For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, **12** Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; **13** Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; **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. **15** These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. CHAPTER 3 **1** Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, **2** To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, _but_ gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. **3** For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, _and_ hating one another. **4** But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, **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 Ghost; **6** Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; **7** That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. **8** _This is_ a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. **9** But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. **10** A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; **11** Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. **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. **13** Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. **14** And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. **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 bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.