Titus 3

Christian Living among Outsiders

¹Remind them to submit ^a to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ²to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness ^b to all people. ³For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions ^c and pleasures, ^d living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

⁴But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, ^{e 5}he saved us ^f #— #not by works of righteousness that we had done, ^g but according to his mercy ^h #— #through the washing of regeneration ⁱ and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ^{j 6}He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly ^k through Jesus Christ our Savior ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, ^l we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. ^{m 8}This saying is trustworthy. ⁿ I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. ⁹But avoid foolish debates, ^o genealogies, ^p quarrels, ^q and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰Reject a divisive ^r person after a first and second warning. ^{s 11}For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Closing

¹²When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, ^t make every effort to come to me ^u in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos ^v on their journey, so that they will lack ^w nothing.

¹⁴Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. ^{x 15}All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you. ^y