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Remind them to be subject to the principalities and powers so that they are obedient and ready for every good work;

to speak evil of no one so that they are not contentious, but soft, showing humility to all men.

For we ourselves also were in times past unwise, disobedient, deceived, serving the lusts and diverse pleasures, living in maliciousness and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But when that kindness and that love of God our Savior appeared toward us

- not by the works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy - He saved us, by the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,

which He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

So that we, being justified by His grace, would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a true saying. And these things I want you to affirm constantly, so that those who have believed God might be careful to practice good works. These things are good and profitable to man.

But stay away from foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and arguments about the Law. For they are unprofitable and pointless.

10 Reject a heretic after one or two warnings,

11 knowing that such a man is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

12 When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis. For I have determined to winter there.

13 Bring Zenas, the expounder of the Law, and Apollos on their journey quickly, so that they lack nothing.

14 And let our own also learn to practice good works for necessary uses, so that they are not unfruitful.

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

(To Titus, elected the first overseer of the Church of the Cretans, written from Nicopolis in Macedonia.)

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)