Titus, 3

1. Remind them to be obedient to the officials in authority; to be ready to do good at every opportunity;

1. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work,

2. not to go slandering other people but to be peaceable and gentle, and always polite to people of all kinds.

2. to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.

3. There was a time when we too were ignorant, disobedient and misled and enslaved by different passions and dissipations; we lived then in wickedness and malice, hating each other and hateful ourselves.

3. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another;

4. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour for humanity were revealed,

4. but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

5. it was not because of any upright actions we had done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own faithful love that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit

5. he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,

6. which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

6. which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7. so that, justified by his grace, we should become heirs in hope of eternal life.

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

8. This is doctrine that you can rely on. I want you to be quite uncompromising in teaching all this, so that those who now believe in God may keep their minds constantly occupied in doing good works. All this is good, and useful for everybody.

8. The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.

9. But avoid foolish speculations, and those genealogies, and the quibbles and disputes about the Law -- they are useless and futile.

9. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

10. If someone disputes what you teach, then after a first and a second warning, have no more to do with him:

10. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him,

11. you will know that anyone of that sort is warped and is self-condemned as a sinner.

11. knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

12. As soon as I have sent Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to join me at Nicopolis, where I have decided to spend the winter.

12. When I send Artemas or Tych'icus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicop'olis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

13. Help eagerly on their way Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, and make sure they have everything they need.

13. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apol'los on their way; see that they lack nothing.

14. All our people must also learn to occupy themselves in doing good works for their practical needs, and not to be unproductive.

14. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

15. All those who are with me send their greetings. Greetings to those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

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