Titus 1
1 From Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, on behalf of the faith of God’s chosen people, and their knowledge of that truth which makes for godliness
这封信来自上帝的仆人、耶稣基督的使徒保罗。我发送这封信，是为了建立上帝所选子民的信心，并分享可以让我们为上帝而活的真理知识。
2 – and is based on the hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began, (aiōnios g166)
这给了他们永生的希望，这永生是从不说谎的上帝很久以前承诺的。 (aiōnios g166)
3 and has revealed at his own time in his message, with the preaching of which I was entrusted by the command of God our Saviour.
在适当的时候，上帝就按照福音的宣讲，显化他的道。这宣讲也是我遵循主上帝的命令，在他的委托下讲述给你们。
4 To Titus, my true child in our shared faith: May God, the Father, and Christ Jesus, our Saviour, bless you and give you peace.
这封信是寄给提多的，他是我真正的儿子，通过我们共同对上帝的信任。愿你们拥有来自父上帝和救世主基督耶稣的恩惠和平安。
5 My reason for leaving you in Crete was that you might put in order what had been left unfinished, and appoint church elders in the various towns, as I myself directed you.
我过去之所以把你留在克里特岛，是要你办好需要完成的事，照我所说的在各城任命长老。
6 They are to be of irreproachable character, faithful to their partners, whose children are believers in Christ and have never been open to the charge of being wild or unruly.
长老的人选必须拥有良好声誉，有一名妻子，儿女都信主，没有人控告其放荡或不服从。
7 For a supervisor, as God’s steward, ought to be of blameless character – not arrogant or quick-tempered, not given to drunkeness, violence or shady money-making.
作为上帝的领导者，大长老必须拥有良好的声誉，不能傲慢自大、不能随便动怒、不好酒、不打人、不贪不义之财。
8 Instead, they should be hospitable, love what is good, self-controlled, upright, people of holy life and disciplined,
他要热情好客, 喜爱好的事情，做良善正直的事情。他应为上帝而活，应该自我控制，
9 holding firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught – so that they may be able to encourage others by sound teaching, as well as to refute those who contradict it.
必须将自己奉献给那所传授的、值得信赖的道。这样他能以正确的教导鼓励他人，说服那些不同意的人。
10 For there are many undisciplined persons who lead others astray with their nonsense, especially those of the group advocating the necessity of circumcision.
因为周围有很多背叛者，他们说了很多没有意义的欺骗之语，尤其是来自奉行割礼的那群人。
11 They need to be kept quiet as they disrupt whole households by teaching what they ought not to teach, simply to make shameful financial gain.
他们的言论必须停止。这些人让整个家庭陷入混乱，为了赚钱而进行错误的传授。
12 It was a Cretan – one of their own prophets – who said: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.” This statement is true.
他们自己人中就有一个先知说过：“克里特人总爱说谎，他们就是懒惰而贪婪的恶兽。”
13 Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith,
这说的是真的。因此，你要严厉地责备他们，让他们用健全的方式相信上帝，
14 and may pay no attention to Jewish legends, or to the directions of those who turn their backs on the truth.
不再理会犹太人的无稽之谈和偏离正道之人的说法。
15 To those whose minds are pure, all things are ritually pure, but to those whose minds are tainted and unbelieving nothing is pure, as their minds and consciences are alike polluted.
对于心灵洁净之人，一切都是洁净；但对于污秽和不信上帝的人，一切都不洁净，连他们的思想和良心都是污秽的。
16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable and disobedient and useless for any good work.
他们声称知道上帝，行为却显示并非如此。他们是可憎的、悖逆的，做任何善事都毫无用处。
