Salutation

11 Paul, a servant of God, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, in agreement with the faith of the saints of God and the full knowledge of what is true in harmony with religion, 2 In the hope of eternal life, which was made certain before eternal time, by the word of God who is ever true; 3 Who, in his time, made clear his word in the good news, of which, by the order of God our Saviour, I became a preacher; 4 To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Qualifications of Elders and Bishops

5 I did not take you with me when I went away from Crete, so that you might do what was necessary to put things in order there, placing men in authority over the churches in every town, as I said to you;

6 Men having a good record, husbands of one wife, whose children are of the faith, children of whom it may not be said that they are given to loose living or are uncontrolled. 7 For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself; 8 But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled; 9 Keeping to the true word of the teaching, so that he may be able to give comfort by right teaching and overcome the arguments of the doubters. 10 For there are men who are not ruled by law; foolish talkers, false teachers, specially those of the circumcision, 11 By whom some families have been completely overturned; who take money for teaching things which are not right; these will have to be stopped. 12 One of their prophets has said, The men of Crete are ever false, evil beasts, lovers of food, hating work. 13 This witness is true. So say sharp words to them so that they may come to the right faith, 14 Giving no attention to the fictions of the Jews and the rules of men who have no true knowledge. 15 To the clean in heart all things are clean: but to those who are unclean and without faith nothing is clean; they become unclean in mind and in thought. 16 They say that they have knowledge of God, while by their acts they are turning their backs on him; they are hated by all, hard-hearted, and judged to be without value for any good work.

The Teaching of Sound Doctrine

21 But let your words be in agreement with true and right teaching: 2 That old men are to be simple in their tastes, serious, wise, true in faith, in love, and of a quiet mind. 3 That old women are to be self-respecting in behaviour, not saying evil of others, not given to taking much wine, teachers of that which is good, 4 Training the younger women to have love for their husbands and children, 5 To be wise in mind, clean in heart, kind; working in their houses, living under the authority of their husbands; so that no evil may be said of the word of God. 6 To the young men give orders to be wise and serious-minded: 7 In all things see that you are an example of good works; holy in your teaching, serious in behaviour, 8 Saying true and right words, against which no protest may be made, so that he who is not on our side may be put to shame, unable to say any evil of us. 9 Servants are to be under the authority of their masters, pleasing them in all things, without argument; 10 Not taking what is not theirs, but giving clear signs of their good faith, in all things doing credit to the teaching of God our Saviour.

11 For the grace of God has come, giving salvation to all men, 12 Training us so that, turning away from evil and the desires of this world, we may be living wisely and uprightly in the knowledge of God in this present life; 13 Looking for the glad hope, the revelation of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, so that he might make us free from all wrongdoing, and make for himself a people clean in heart and on fire with good works.

15 On all these points give teaching and help, and make clear what is right with all authority. Let all men give you honour.

Be Careful to Maintain Good Works

31 Make clear to them that they are to put themselves under rulers and authorities, to do what they are ordered, to be ready for every good work, 2 To say no evil of any man, not to be fighters, to give way to others, to be gentle in behaviour to all men. 3 For in the past we were foolish, hard in heart, turned from the true way, servants of evil desires and pleasures, living in bad feeling and envy, hated and hating one another. 4 But when the mercy of God our Saviour, and his love to man was seen, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but in the measure of his mercy, he gave us salvation, through the washing of the new birth and the giving of new life in the Holy Spirit, 6 Which he gave us freely through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 So that, having been given righteousness through grace, we might have a part in the heritage, the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a true saying; and it is my desire that you may give certain witness about these things, so that those who have had faith in God may give attention to good works. These things are good and of profit to men;

9 But have nothing to do with foolish questionings, and lists of generations, and fights and arguments about the law; for they are of no profit and foolish. 10 A man whose opinions are not those of the church, after a first and second protest, is to be kept out of your society; 11 Clearly he is in error and a sinner, being self-judged.

Personal Instructions

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis: for it is my purpose to be there for the winter. 13 Send Zenas, the man of law, and Apollos on their journey with all care, so that they may be in need of nothing. 14 And let our people go on with good works for necessary purposes, so that they may not be without fruit.

Benediction

15 All who are with me send you their love. Give our love to our friends in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Salutation

11 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear helper in the faith, 2 And to Apphia, our sister, and to Archippus, our brother in God's army, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon's Love and Faith

4 I give praise to God at all times and make prayer for you, 5 Hearing of the love and the faith which you have to the Lord Jesus and to all the saints; 6 That the faith which you have in common with them may be working with power, in the knowledge of every good thing in you, for Christ. 7 For I had great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been made strong again through you, brother.

Paul Pleads for Onesimus

8 And so, though I might, in the name of Christ, give you orders to do what is right, 9 Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus: 10 My request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains, 11 Who in the past was of no profit to you, but now is of profit to you and to me: 12 Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart: 13 Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place: 14 But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart. 15 For it is possible that for this reason he was parted from you for a time, so that you might have him for ever; 16 No longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother, very dear to me specially, but much more to you, in the flesh as well as in the Lord. 17 If then you take me to be your friend and brother, take him in as myself. 18 If he has done you any wrong or is in debt to you for anything, put it to my account. 19 I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life. 20 So brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: give new life to my heart in Christ. 21 Being certain that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you will do even more than I say. 22 And make a room ready for me; for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you.

Final Greetings

23 Epaphras, my brother-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his love; 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my brother-workers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. So be it.