Titus 3

Christian Living among Outsiders

¹Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,²³to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.⁴⁵For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.⁶

⁷But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,⁸⁹he saved us —not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.¹⁰¹¹He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior¹²¹³so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.¹⁴¹⁵This saying is trustworthy. 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.¹⁶¹⁷But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.¹⁸¹⁹Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning.²⁰²¹For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.²²

Final Instructions and Closing

²³When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there.²⁴²⁵Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.²⁶

²⁷Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.²⁸²⁹All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.³⁰