Titus 1

1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of truth that accords with godliness.

2in hope of eternal life, which God who never lies promised before eternal times.

3but in his own times he revealed his word through the proclamation entrusted to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.

4To Titus, genuine son according to our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5Because of this I left you in Crete so that you would straighten out what was lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I commanded you.

6If anyone is blameless, a husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of debauchery or rebellion.

7For an overseer must be above reproach as God's steward—not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for shameful gain.

8but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, holy, self-controlled.

9holding firmly to the faithful word that aligns with the teaching, so he can both exhort in sound teaching and convict those who contradict.

10For there are many unruly, vain talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.

11whose mouths must be stopped, who overturn whole households by teaching things they ought not, for the sake of shameful gain.

12One from among them, their own prophet, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies."

13This testimony is true. For this reason, convict them sternly, that they may be sound in the faith.

14Not attending to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

15To the pure all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; instead, their mind and conscience are defiled.

16They confess to knowing God, but deny him through their works, being detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.