1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Ro 13:1; 2Ti 2:21; 1Pe 2:13)2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Eph 4:31; 1Ti 3:3; 2Ti 2:25)3For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. (1Co 6:11)4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, (Ro 2:4)5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Joh 3:5; Ro 3:27; Ro 12:2; 1Co 6:11; Eph 2:4; 1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 3:21)6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Joe 2:28; Ac 2:33; Ac 10:45; Ro 5:5)7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Ro 8:17; Tit 1:2; Tit 2:11)8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (1Ti 1:15; Tit 2:14; Tit 3:14)9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (1Ti 1:4; 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:14; 2Ti 2:16)10As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, (Mt 18:15; 2Jo 1:10)11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12When 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. (2Ti 4:10; 2Ti 4:12)13Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. (Ac 18:24)14And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Php 1:11; Php 4:17; Col 1:10; Tit 3:8; 2Pe 1:8)15All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. (Col 4:18)
Titus 3
New International Version
Saved in order to do good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,2to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle towards everyone.3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.4But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared,5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Final remarks
12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Titus 3
King James Version
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Titus 3
New International Reader’s Version
Do what is good because you are saved
1Remind God’s people to obey rulers and authorities. Remind them to be ready to do what is good.2Tell them not to speak evil things against anyone. Remind them to live in peace. They must consider the needs of others. They must always be gentle towards everyone.3At one time we too acted like fools. We didn’t obey God. We were tricked. We were controlled by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We were full of evil. We wanted what belongs to others. People hated us, and we hated one another.4But the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared.5He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life.6God poured out the Spirit on us freely. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Saviour has done.7His grace made us right with God. So now we have received the hope of eternal life as God’s children.8You can trust this saying. These things are important. Treat them that way. Then those who trust in God will be careful to commit themselves to doing good. These things are excellent. They are for the good of everyone.9But keep away from foolish disagreements. Don’t argue about family histories. Don’t make trouble. Don’t fight about what the law teaches. Don’t argue about things like that. It doesn’t do any good. It doesn’t help anyone.10Warn anyone who tries to get believers to separate from one another. Warn that person more than once. After that, have nothing to do with them.11You can be sure that people like this are twisted and sinful. Their own actions judge them.
Final words
12I will send Artemas or Tychicus to you. Then do your best to come to me at Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there.13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos. Send them on their way. See that they have everything they need.14Our people must learn to commit themselves to doing what is good. Then they can provide for people when they are in great need. If they do that, their lives won’t turn out to be useless.15Everyone who is with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. May God’s grace be with you all.