5 The reason that I asked you to stay behind in Crete was so that you would find what needed to be reorganised and so that you would appoint elders in every city just as I had directed you. 6 [ref]Each elder must have a clean record, be the husband of one wife, and have believing children who are not wild or disobedient. 7 Any overseer in the assembly as a manager working for God must have a clean record, not be self-centred, not be quick to get angry, not addicted to wine, not a bully, and not greedy, 8 but rather hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, honest, loves God, and self-controlled. 9 He must hold faithfully to the message that was taught, so that he will be effective in encouraging others with sound teaching and to be rebuking those who speak against the message.

10 There’s plenty of people who don’t want to be told what to do, empty talkers and outright deceivers, especially those that push the letter of the law. 11 These people need to be silenced because they mess up whole families when they teach them things that they shouldn’t—all for the sake of shameful game. 12 One of their own prophets said that the people from Crete are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons, 13 and that’s right. For those reasons, you need to sternly tell them they’re wrong, so that they can become sound in their faith, 14 and not pay attention to Jewish myths or human rules which turn people away from the truth. 15 For someone who’s pure in their thinking, everything is pure to them, but for unbelievers and those who’ve strayed from the truth, nothing is pure because their minds and consciences have already been damaged— 16 they say that they know God, but their actions show that they don’t, and so they’re detestable. They can no longer accept teaching so they’re unsuitable for any good work.

2 But you, Titos speak only what comes from sound teaching. 2 Older men need to be sober, dignified, sensible, and sound in their faith, their love, and their endurance. 3 Likewise older women need to honour God by their behaviour, not making false accusations, not addicted to a lot of wine. They should teaching what is good 4 so that they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 and to be sensible and pure, homemakers that do good for others, living under the authority of their husbands so that others don’t speak evil of God’s message because of them.

6 Also encourage younger men to be sensible. 7 Be a good example in everything you do and in your teaching. Don’t be led astray, maintain your dignity, 8 watch every word that comes out of your lips, stay above reproach—all this so that those who oppose us can be reached because there’s nothing bad they can say about us.

9 Slaves need to conform to their master’s commands, aiming to please. They shouldn’t speak against their masters 10 or be pilfering from them, rather they should display their good faith so that their actions add to the teachings of God our saviour.

11 This is because God’s grace which offers salvation to all people has appeared 12 and teaches us that when we distance ourselves from ungodliness and worldly lusts, we can live sensibly and justly and devoutly in the present age. 13 Then we can look forward to the blessing of the majestic appearance of our great God and saviour, Yeshua the messiah 14 [ref]who gave himself for us in order to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify us into his chosen people, eager to do good things.

15 Teach these things as you encourage some and scold others, but don’t let anyone disrespect you.

3 Remind people to conform to their rulers and authorities, being obedient and ready to do anything that’s good. 2 Don’t slander others, be peaceable. Don’t be strong-willed, but rather show gentleness to all people. 3 We were also foolish and stubborn at one time, straying from the good and giving in to various lusts and pleasures, being mean and envious, even full of hate and hating one another. 4 But when God our saviour revealed his kindness and love for humankind, 5 he saved us, not because of the ‘good deeds’ that we did, but out of his mercy. He regenerated us through washing and renewed us by his holy spirit 6 which he lavishly poured on us through Yeshua the messiah 7 so that we might become heirs with the expectation of living forever, having been declared that we have no outstanding legal charges thanks to his grace. 8 That statement can be trusted. I want you to confirm those things so that those who have believed in God will be leading in wanting to do good things. These things are good and benefit everyone.

9 But avoid foolish debates, arguments about ancestry, other strife, and quarrels about the commandments because they all achieve nothing and waste time. 10 Refuse to listen to a divisive person after you’ve given them two warnings 11 knowing that such people condemn themselves by their corruption and sinful attitude.

12 [ref]Whenever I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, you should try to meet me at Nicopolis, because I’ve decided to spend the winter there. 13 [ref]Help by sending Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that they won’t be needing anything. 14 Our people must also be learning to be leading in doing good things to meet the necessary needs so that they won’t be unproductive.

15 Everyone here with me sends their greetings to you. And please greet the ones there for us who love us in the faith.

May God’s grace be with all of you.