Titus 3

¹Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities , to be obedient , to be ready for every good work ,

²to speak evil of no one , to avoid quarreling , to be gentle , and to show perfect courtesy toward all people .

³For we ourselves were once foolish , disobedient , led astray , slaves to various passions and pleasures , passing our days in malice and envy , hated by others and hating one another .

⁴But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared ,

⁵he saved us , not because of works done by us in righteousness , but according to his own mercy , by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit ,

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

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

⁸The saying is trustworthy , and I want you to insist on these things , so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works . These things are excellent and profitable for people .

⁹But avoid foolish controversies , genealogies , dissensions , and quarrels about the law , for they are unprofitable and worthless .

¹⁰As for a person who stirs up division , after warning him once and then twice , have nothing more to do with him ,

¹¹knowing that such a person is warped and sinful ; he is self-condemned .

¹²When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you , do your best to come to me at Nicopolis , for I have decided to spend the winter there .

¹³Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way ; see that they lack nothing .

¹⁴And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works , so as to help cases of urgent need , and not be unfruitful .

¹⁵All who are with me send greetings to you . Greet those who love us in the faith . Grace be with you all .