But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

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.

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.

Proclaim Sound Doctrine

But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for (A)sound doctrine. (B)Older men are to be [a](C)temperate, dignified, self-controlled, (D)sound (E)in faith, in love, in [b]perseverance.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, (F)not malicious gossips nor (G)enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may [c]encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, (H)workers at home, kind, being (I)subject to their own husbands, (J)so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Likewise urge (K)the young men to be [d]sensible; in all things show yourself to be (L)an example of good deeds, with [e]purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, (M)so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge [f](N)slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not [g]argumentative, 10 not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of (O)God our Savior in every respect.

11 For the grace of God has (P)appeared, [h](Q)bringing salvation to all people, 12 [i]instructing us to deny ungodliness and (R)worldly desires and (S)to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner (T)in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the (U)appearing of the glory of [j](V)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who (W)gave Himself for us (X)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to (Y)purify for Himself a (Z)people for His own possession, (AA)eager for good deeds.

15 These things speak and (AB)[k]exhort, and (AC)rebuke with all authority. (AD)No one is to disregard you.

Footnotes

  1. Titus 2:2 Or level-headed
  2. Titus 2:2 Or steadfastness
  3. Titus 2:4 Or train
  4. Titus 2:6 Or sensible in all things; show
  5. Titus 2:7 Or soundness; lit uncorruptness
  6. Titus 2:9 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  7. Titus 2:9 Lit contradicting
  8. Titus 2:11 Or to all mankind, bringing
  9. Titus 2:12 Or disciplining
  10. Titus 2:13 Or the great God and our Savior
  11. Titus 2:15 Or encourage

Advice for Behavior in Community

But as for you, speak things that are fitting for sound instruction. Older men are to be clear-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Likewise, older women are to be sanctified in demeanor—not backbiting or enslaved to much wine. Let them be teachers of what is good, so that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, managing their household, kind, submitted to their own husbands, so that God’s word may not be dishonored.

Likewise urge the younger men to be self-controlled, in all things showing yourself to be an example of good deeds—integrity in instruction, dignity, sound speech beyond criticism—so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge slaves to submit themselves to their own masters in all things, well-pleasing and not back-talking, 10 not stealing but showing all good faithfulness, so that they may do credit to the teaching about God our Savior in everything.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age. 13 We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. 14 He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds. [a] 15 So communicate these things, and encourage and correct with complete authority. Let no one look down on you.

Duties of the Older and Younger

But as for you, teach the things which are in agreement with sound doctrine [which produces men and women of good character whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christians]. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].

Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good, so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children, to be sensible, pure, makers of a home [where God is honored], good-natured, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

In a similar way urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously]. And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back, 10 not stealing [things, regardless of value], but proving themselves trustworthy, so that in every respect they will adorn and do credit to the teaching of God our Savior.

11 For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that [a]brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, 13 awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.(A)

15 Tell them these things. Encourage and rebuke with full authority. Let no one disregard or despise you [conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect].

Footnotes

  1. Titus 2:11 Jesus is the source of salvation for all who believe and accept Him as Savior and Lord.