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Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,a according to the faith of God's chosen and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before eternal times, 3 but revealed in due times his word through the proclamation, which I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior,4 To Titus, a genuine child according to a common faith,
Grace [[mercy and]]b and peace from God the Father and [[the Lord]]c {Christ Jesus}d our Savior.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might put in order what remains and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you, 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wild living or disobedience. 7 For an overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, and disciplined, 9 holding firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to refute those who oppose it.
10 For there are many [also]e who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whom it is necessary to silence, who overturn whole households, teaching things they ought not for the sake of shameful gain.
12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be healthy in faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commands of men who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being detestable and disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.