He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, ¹  so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching ²  and correct those who speak against it.

You know ¹  that such a person is twisted by sin ²  and is conscious of it himself. ³ 

It trains us ¹  to reject godless ways ²  and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

But now in his own time ¹  he has made his message evident through the preaching I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior.

Everyone with me greets you. Greet those who love us in the faith. ¹  Grace be with you all. ² 

A certain one of them, in fact, one of their own prophets, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹ 

Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith

Remind them to be subject to rulers and ¹  authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

And so, ¹  since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” ² 

An elder must be blameless, ¹  the husband of one wife, ²  with faithful children ³  who cannot be charged with dissipation or rebellion.

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

and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, ¹  because he has nothing evil to say about us.

He ¹  gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, ²  who are eager to do good. ³ 

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.

For the overseer ¹  must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work, ²  not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

This saying ¹  is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, ²  so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people.