Study Desk

Paul, ^(a)a bond-servant of God and an ^(b)apostle of Jesus Christ, ^[a]for the faith of those ^(c)chosen of God and ^(d)the knowledge of the truth which is ^(e)according to godliness,

in ^(f)the hope of eternal life, which God, ^(g)who cannot lie, ^(h)promised ^[b](i)long ages ago,

but ^(j)at the proper time manifested, even His word, in ^(k)the proclamation ^(l)with which I was entrusted ^(m)according to the commandment of ⁽ⁿ⁾God our Savior,

To ^(o)Titus, ^(p)my true child ^[c]in a ^(q)common faith: ^(r)Grace and peace from God the Father and ^(s)Christ Jesus our Savior.

For this reason I left you in ^(t)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and ^(u)appoint ^(v)elders in every city as I directed you,

namely, ^(w)if any man is above reproach, the ^(x)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of ^(y)dissipation or ^(z)rebellion.

For the ^[d](aa)overseer must be above reproach as ^(ab)God's steward, not ^(ac)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(ad)addicted to wine, not pugnacious, ^(ae)not fond of sordid gain,

but ^(af)hospitable, ^(ag)loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

^(ah)holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in ^(ai)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

^(aj)For there are many ^(ak)rebellious men, ^(al)empty talkers and deceivers, especially ^(am)those of the circumcision,

who must be silenced because they are upsetting ^(an)whole families, teaching ^(ao)things they should not teach ^(ap)for the sake of sordid gain.

One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "^(aq)Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

This testimony is true. For this reason ^(ar)reprove them ^(as)severely so that they may be ^(at)sound in the faith,

not paying attention to Jewish ^(au)myths and ^(av)commandments of men who ^(aw)turn away from the truth.

^(ax)To the pure, all things are pure; but ^(ay)to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their ^(az)mind and their conscience are defiled.

^(ba)They profess to know God, but by their deeds they ^(bb)deny Him, being ^(bc)detestable and ^(bd)disobedient and ^(be)worthless ^(bf)for any good deed.

But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for ^(a)sound doctrine.

^(b)Older men are to be ^(c)temperate, dignified, sensible, ^(d)sound ^(e)in faith, in love, in ^[a]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 ^[b]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 ^[c]sensible;

in all things show yourself to be ^(l)an example of good deeds, with ^[d]purity in doctrine, dignified,

sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so ^(m)that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge ⁽ⁿ⁾bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not ^[e]argumentative,

not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of ^(o)God our Savior in every respect.

For the grace of God has ^(p)appeared, ^[f](q)bringing salvation to all men,

^[g]instructing us to deny ungodliness and ^(r)worldly desires and ^(s)to live sensibly, righteously and godly ^(t)in the present age,

looking for the blessed hope and the ^(u)appearing of the glory of ^[h](v)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

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)zealous for good deeds.

These things speak and ^(ab)exhort and ^(ac)reprove with all ^[i]authority. ^(ad)Let no one disregard you.

^(a)Remind them ^(b)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(c)ready for every good deed,

to malign no one, ^(d)to be peaceable, ^(e)gentle, ^(f)showing every consideration for all men.

^(g)For we also once were foolish ourselves, ^(h)disobedient, ⁽ⁱ⁾deceived, ^(j)enslaved to ^(k)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in ^(l)malice and ^(m)envy, hateful, hating one another.

But when the ⁽ⁿ⁾kindness of ^(o)God our Savior and His love for mankind ^(p)appeared,

^(q)He saved us, ^(r)not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but ^(s)according to His mercy, by the ^(t)washing of regeneration and ^(u)renewing by the Holy Spirit,

^(v)whom He poured out upon us ^(w)richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that being justified by His grace we would be made ^(x)heirs ^[a]according to the hope of eternal life.

^(y)This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I ^(z)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have ^(aa)believed God will be careful to ^(ab)engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

But ^(ac)avoid ^(ad)foolish controversies and ^(ae)genealogies and strife and ^(af)disputes about the Law, for they are ^(ag)unprofitable and worthless.

^(ah)Reject a ^(ai)factious man ^(aj)after a first and second warning,

knowing that such a man is ^(ak)perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or ^(al)Tychicus to you, ^(am)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to ^(an)spend the winter there.

Diligently help Zenas the ^(ao)lawyer and ^(ap)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.

^(aq)Our people must also learn to ^(ar)engage in good ^[b]deeds to meet ^(as)pressing needs, so that they will not be ^(at)unfruitful.

^(au)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us ^(av)in the faith. ^(aw)Grace be with you all.