A New Translation of Paul’s Letter to

Titus

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

You vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of you, you, your, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

Man and Woman vs. Husband and Wife: Greek has no specific words for husband or wife, but uses the words man and woman, as do many other languages. We have translated the words man and woman as such, but in proper context, the readers should understand them to mean husband and wife.

Titus 1

1 Paul, a slave of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the full knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

2 in hope of everlasting life, which God, who does not lie, promised before times everlasting;

3 but in his own appointed times manifested his word in preaching, with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior;

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

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might straighten out the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in each city, as I ordered you:

6 if anyone is blameless, the man of one woman, having faithful children who are not accused of being lost (literally “unsavedness”) or disobedient.

7 For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not prone to wrath, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for disgraceful gain;

8 but hospitable, as lover of goodness, of sound mind, righteous, holy, self-controlled;

9 holding firmly to the faithful word in teaching, that he may be able to encourage in sound doctrine, and to reprove those contradicting.

10 For many are disobedient, vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision,

11 whose mouths must be shut; who overturn whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of disgraceful gain.

12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, idle gluttons.”

13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them abruptly (that is, reprove them by cutting them off when they being to speak), that they may be sound in the faith,

14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

15 To the clean all things are clean: but to them that are defiled and faithless nothing is clean; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

16 They profess to have known God; but with their works they deny him, being detestable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate (i.e., unapproved, rejected, worthless).

Titus 2

1 But you speak the things which befit the sound doctrine:

2 that older men be vigilant, venerable, sound in mind, sound in faith, in love, in endurance:

3 that older women likewise in behavior as appropriate to a sacred place, not accusers, nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

4 that they may the young women sound-minded, to love their men, to love their children,

5 to be of sound mind, chaste, workers at home, good, subjecting themselves to their own men, that the word of God may not be blasphemed:

6 the younger men likewise encourage to be sound-minded:

7 in all things showing yourself to them as an example of good works; in your doctrine incorruptness, venerability,

8 sound speech that cannot be condemned; so that he that is opposed may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.

9 Slaves, be in subjection to your own masters in all things, to be well-pleasing; not contradicting;

10 not embezzling, but showing all good faith; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 instructing us, so that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live with soundness of mind and righteously and godly in the present age;

13 waiting for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ;

14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and cleanse for himself a special people, zealous of good works.

15 These things speak and encourage and reprove with all command. Let no one despise you.

Titus 3

1 Remind them to be in subjection to governments, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

2 to blaspheme no one, not to be prone to fighting, to be reasonable, showing all mildness toward all men.

3 For once we were also senseless, disobedient, misled, slaving for various desires and pleasures, continuing in evil and envy, hateful, hating one another.

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

5 not by works in righteousness that we ourselves did, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the bath of regeneration and renovation, by the Holy Spirit,

6 which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

7 that, being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of everlasting life.

8 Faithful is the saying, and I wish you to thoroughly affirm these things, so that they who have believed God may be mindful to continue good works. These things are good and useful to men:

9 but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strife, and fights about the law; for they are not useful, and vain.

10 A heretic, after a first and second admonition, reject,

11 knowing that such a one has been turned out, and is sinning, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me to Nicopolis: for I have determined to winter there.

13 Send out Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing be lacking to them.

14 But let our people also learn to continue good works for necessary uses, in order that they not be unfruitful.

15 All that are with me greet you. Greet them that love us in faith. Grace be with all of YOU.