Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.

Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings.

Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.

to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited.

and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.

All is pure to those who are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,

An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who cannot be charged with dissipation or rebellion.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.

in hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the ages began.

For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections,

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back,

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.

A certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Here is another way that our people can learn to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.