1 Paul, a servant of God {Theos, Sovereign Chooser} and an apostle of Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Apostolic Sender}, according to the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness.
2 Upon the hope of eternal life, which God {Theos, Faithful Promiser}—who does not lie {apseudes: wholly truthful}—promised before eternal ages.
3 But He has revealed His word at His own appointed times in preaching {kerygma: heraldic proclamation}, which I was entrusted with according to the command of God our Savior {Theos, Covenant Deliverer}.
4 To Titus, a true child according to the common faith: Grace and peace from God {Theos, Faithful Father} the Father and Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Saving Lord} our Savior.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might set right {epidiorthoses: thoroughly restore} the things that are lacking and appoint elders {presbyterous: mature overseers} in every city, as I instructed you.
6 If anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who are believers and not in accusation of debauchery {asotia: reckless living} or insubordination {anupotakta: rebellious conduct}.
7 For it is necessary that the overseer {episkopos: congregation guardian} be above reproach, as a steward of God {Theos, Sovereign Householder}, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for shameful gain.
8 But he must be hospitable, a lover of good {philagathon: devoted to what is upright}, self-controlled, just {dikaion: morally fair}, holy, and disciplined.
9 Holding fast to the trustworthy word {logou: reliable message} according to the teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage with sound doctrine {didaskalia: stable teaching} and to refute those who oppose.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate {anupotaktoi: rebellious defiant}, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision {peritomes: ritual-marked Jews}.
11 They must be silenced {epistomizein: firmly restrained}, those who are overturning entire households by teaching things that ought not to be taught, for the sake of shameful profit {kerdous: corrupt gain}.
12 One of them, their own prophet {prophetes: respected spokesman}, said: “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies {gasteres: greedy gluttons}.”
13 This testimony {martyria: reliable witness} is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith {pistis: steadfast trust}.
14 Not paying attention to Jewish myths {mythos: misleading stories} and to the commandments of men who turn away from the truth {aletheia: revealed reality}.
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; instead, both their mind {nous: inner reasoning} and conscience {syneidesis: moral awareness} are defiled.
16 They profess to know God {Theos, Professed yet Denied}, but by their works {ergois: outward deeds} they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and unqualified for every good work.