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

Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings.

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.