Titus 3:1-11 ▼

1 Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.

2 They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared,

5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,

6 whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior,

7 so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others.

9 Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile.

10 After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic,

11 realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned.