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Concentrate on Doing What is Good

Remind believers[a] to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work. They are not to insult[b] anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and perfectly courteous to everyone. After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another.

In grace our Savior God appeared,
    to make his love for mankind clear.
‘Twas not for deeds that we had done,
    but by his steadfast love[c] alone,
he saved us through a second birth,
    renewed us by the Spirit’s[d] work,
and poured him out upon us, too,
    through Jesus the Messiah[e] our Savior true.
And so, made heirs by his own grace,
    eternal life we now embrace.[f]

This saying is trustworthy.[g] I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people.

But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless. 10 Have nothing to do with a divisive person after you have warned him once or twice. 11 For you know that a person like this is corrupt and keeps on sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Instructions to Titus

12 As soon as I send Artemas to you, or perhaps Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do all you can to send Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on their way, and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our own people should also learn to make good deeds a priority when urgent needs arise, so they won’t be unproductive.

Final Greeting

15 All who are with me send you greetings. Greet our fellow believers who love us. May grace be with all of you! Amen.[h]

Footnotes

  1. Titus 3:1 Lit. them
  2. Titus 3:2 Or slander
  3. Titus 3:5 Or his mercy
  4. Titus 3:5 Lit. the Holy Spirit’s
  5. Titus 3:6 Or Christ
  6. Titus 3:7 Lit. we have become heirs according to the hope of eternal life
  7. Titus 3:8 This formula accompanied early Christian sayings on which full reliance could be placed.
  8. Titus 3:15 Other mss. lack Amen

Saved in Order to Do Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,(B) to slander no one,(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time(D) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness(E) and love of God our Savior(F) appeared,(G) he saved us,(H) not because of righteous things we had done,(I) but because of his mercy.(J) He saved us through the washing(K) of rebirth and renewal(L) by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us(M) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace,(N) we might become heirs(O) having the hope(P) of eternal life.(Q) This is a trustworthy saying.(R) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.(S) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid(T) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels(U) about the law,(V) because these are unprofitable and useless.(W) 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.(X) 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus(Y) to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.(Z) 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos(AA) on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,(AB) in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.(AC)

Grace be with you all.(AD)

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

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;

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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.

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.