Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Christ Jesus, for the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God's chosen people and the knowledge of the truth that agrees with godliness,

2 in hope of everlasting life, which God, who cannot lie, promised from the most ancient times, (aiōnios g166)

with the certain hope of everlasting life that God, who does not lie, promised before all the ages of time. (aiōnios g166)

3 but in his own seasons manifested his word through the preaching with which I was intrusted by the commandment of God our Saviour:

At the right time, he revealed his word by the message that he trusted me to deliver. I was to do this by the command of God our savior.

4 to Titus, true child after the common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.

To Titus, a true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.

5 For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed thee;

For this purpose I left you in Crete, that you might set in order things not yet complete and ordain elders in every city as I directed you.

6 if any one is without reproach, the husband of one wife, having believing children, that are not accused of dissoluteness, or unruly.

An elder must be without blame, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who do not have the reputation of being reckless or undisciplined.

7 For a bishop must be without reproach, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain,

It is necessary for the overseer, as God's household manager, to be blameless. He must not be arrogant, not be easily angered, not addicted to wine, not a brawler, and not a greedy man.

8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, discreet, just, holy, temperate,

Instead, he should be hospitable and a friend of what is good. He must be sensible, righteous, godly, and self-controlled.

9 holding fast the sure word according to what he was taught, that he may be able by sound teaching both to exhort, and to refute the gainsayers.

He should hold tightly to the trustworthy message that was taught, so that he may be able to encourage others with good teaching and correct those who oppose him.

10 For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision;

For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.

11 whose mouths must be stopped, since they overturn whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain.

It is necessary to stop them. They are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful profit what they should not teach.

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said: “The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slothful gluttons.”

One of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

13 This testimony is true; for which cause rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

This statement is true. Therefore, correct them severely, so that they may be sound in the faith,

14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

not paying any attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

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

To those who are pure, all things are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and their consciences have been corrupted.

16 They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and for every good work reprobate.

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing any good work.