Concentrate on Doing What is Good

1Remind believersa to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work. 2They are not to insultb anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and perfectly courteous to everyone. 3After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another.

4In grace our Savior God appeared,

to make his love for mankind clear.

5‘Twas not for deeds that we had done,

but by his steadfast lovec alone,

he saved us through a second birth,

renewed us by the Spirit’sd work,

6and poured him out upon us, too,

through Jesus the Messiahe our Savior true.

7And so, made heirs by his own grace,

eternal life we now embrace.f

8This saying is trustworthy.g I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people.

9But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless. 10Have nothing to do with a divisive person after you have warned him once or twice. 11For you know that a person like this is corrupt and keeps on sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Instructions to Titus

12As soon as I send Artemas to you, or perhaps Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13Do all you can to send Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on their way, and see that they have everything they need. 14Our own people should also learn to make good deeds a priority when urgent needs arise, so they won’t be unproductive.

Final Greeting

15All who are with me send you greetings. Greet our fellow believers who love us. May grace be with all of you! Amen.h

Greetings