Dual Panel1FROM Paul, servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, marked as such by the faith of God's chosen people and the knowledge of the truth enshrined in our religion
2with its hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised long ages ago,
3and now in his own good time has openly declared in the proclamation entrusted to me by command of God our Saviour.
4To Titus, my true-born son in the faith which we share. Grace and peace to you from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Christian discipline
5MY intention in leaving you behind in Crete was that you should deal with any outstanding matters, and in particular should appoint elders in each town in accordance with the principles I have laid down:
6Are they men of unimpeachable character? Is each the husband of one wife? Are their children believers, not open to any charge of dissipation or indiscipline?
7For as God's steward a bishop must be a man of unimpeachable character. He must not be overbearing or short-tempered or given to drink; no brawler, no money-grubber,
8but hospitable, right-minded, temperate, just, devout, and self-controlled.
9He must keep firm hold of the true doctrine, so that he may be well able both to appeal to his hearers with sound teaching and to refute those who raise objections.
10There are many, especially among Jewish converts, who are undisciplined, who talk wildly and lead others astray.
11Such men must be muzzled, because they are ruining whole families by teaching what they should not, and all for sordid gain.
12It was a Cretan prophet, one of their own countrymen, who said, “Cretans were ever liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons” --
13and how truly he spoke! All the more reason why you should rebuke them sharply, so that they may be restored to a sound faith,
14instead of paying heed to Jewish myths and to human commandments, the work of those who turn their backs on the truth.
15To the pure all things are pure; but nothing is pure to tainted disbelievers, tainted both in reason and in conscience.
16They profess to know God but by their actions deny him; they are detestable and disobedient, disqualified for any good work.