1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that is according to godliness; 2In the hope of eternal life, which God Who cannot lie promised before the ages of time, 3But revealed in its own set time in the proclamation of His Word, with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;

4To Titus, a true son according to our common faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

5For this cause I left you in Crete, so that you might set in order the things that needed to be done, and might ordain elders in every city, as I commanded you: 6If any man be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of debauchery or rebellion. 7For it is obligatory that as God's steward an overseer be blameless, not selfwilled, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not a bully, not greedy for material gain; 8But hospitable, a lover of good, soundminded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9Holding steadfastly to the faithful word, according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, so that he may be able both to encourage with sound doctrine and to convict those who are gainsayers.

10For there are many rebellious and vain talkers and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision party, 11Whose mouths must be stopped; who are subverting whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of selfish gain. 12One from among them, even one of their own prophets, said, "Cretans are always liars, and evil, wild beasts, and lazy gluttons." 13This testimony is true. For this reason you must rebuke them severely, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men, which turn away from the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; rather, both their minds and consciences are defiled. 16They personally profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and reprobate unto every good work.