Titus 3

¹ Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.

² They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.

³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

⁴ But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared,

⁵ not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,

⁶ whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior,

⁷ so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

⁸ This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others.

⁹ Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile.

¹⁰ After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic,

¹¹ realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned.

¹² When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, try to join me at Nicopolis, where I have decided to spend the winter.

¹³ Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey soon, and see to it that they have everything they need.

¹⁴ But let our people, too, learn to devote themselves to good works to supply urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.

¹⁵ All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.