Titus 3

1 Remind them to respect and obey the rulers and authorities, to be ready for every kind of good work, to slander no one, to avoid quarreling,

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

2 to be reasonable, and under all circumstances to show a gentle spirit with all.

to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

3 There was a time when we ourselves were foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to all kinds of desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hating ourselves and hating one another.

For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

4 But, when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for humanity appeared, he saved us,

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

5 not as the result of any righteous actions that we had done, but due to his mercy. He saved us though the washing of rebirth and renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit,

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

6 which he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior –

This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that, having been put right with God through his grace, we become heirs to the hope of eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

8 This saying is trustworthy! And it is on these subjects that I want you to lay special emphasis, so that those who have learned to trust in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing good. Such subjects are excellent in themselves, and of benefit to all.

This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.

9 But have nothing to do with foolish controversies, or with genealogies, or with quarrels, or fights about the Law. They are useless and futile.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

10 If someone is causing divisions among you then, after giving them a second warning, excuse yourself from them.

Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,

11 You can be sure that such a person has forsaken the truth and is in the wrong. They stand self-condemned.

knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me as quickly as possible at Nicopolis, for I have arranged to spend the winter there.

As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

13 Do your best to help Zenas, the teacher of the Law, and Apollos, on their way, and see that they want for nothing.

Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.

14 Let all our people learn to devote themselves to doing good, so as to meet the most pressing needs, and that their lives may not be unfruitful.

And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me here send you their greeting. Give my greeting to our friends in the faith. God bless you all.

All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.