Titus 1

Paul writes to Titus, whom he left in Crete to set things in order and ordain elders in every city. He sets forth the qualifications for elders — blameless, not self-willed, not given to wine, holding fast the faithful word — and warns against false teachers, especially those of the circumcision, who subvert whole houses for dishonest gain.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;	From Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ — sent for the faith of God's chosen ones and for the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
2	In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;	in the hope of eternal life, which God — who cannot lie — promised before the world began,
3	But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;	and has now in His own time made known His word through the preaching that was entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour —
4	To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.	to Titus, my own son in the faith we share: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5	For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:	The reason I left You in Crete was this: that You should set in order the things that are still lacking, and ordain elders in every city, as I directed You.
6	If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.	An elder must be blameless — the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wild living or rebellion.
7	For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;	For a bishop must be blameless, as God's steward — not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain,
8	But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;	but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, and self-controlled,
9	Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.	holding firmly to the faithful word as He has been taught, so that He may be able by sound doctrine both to encourage others and to refute those who contradict it.
10	For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:	For there are many who are unruly — empty talkers and deceivers — especially those of the circumcision.
11	Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.	Their mouths must be stopped. They are upsetting whole households, teaching things they ought not to teach — and all for dishonest gain.
12	One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.	One of their own, a prophet of theirs, said, "The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
13	This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;	This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith —
14	Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.	not paying attention to Jewish fables or to the commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
15	Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.	To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure — even their mind and conscience are defiled.
16	They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.	They claim to know God, but by their works they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.