From Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that is in keeping with godliness,

he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,

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

as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.

But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,

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

and not pay attention to Jewish myths and commands of people who reject the truth.

showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”

You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself.

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

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.

But now in his own time he has made his message evident through the preaching I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior.

not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.

He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.

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

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.