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1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 1:3 but at the proper time manifested, [even] His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; 1:4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 1:6 [namely], if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 1:7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 1:8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. 1:10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 1:11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not [teach], for the sake of sordid gain. 1:12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 1:13 This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, 1:14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 1:16 They profess to know God, but by [their] deeds they deny [Him], being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.