Heirs of Grace 1 UST Titus, continue to tell our people again that they should obey the people who rule over them. They need to be ready to be helpful whenever they are able. BSB BSB: Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
2 UST They should not say disrespectful things about anyone. They should be peaceful. They should treat everyone gently and as more important than themselves. BSB BSB: to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
3 UST We need to remember that there was a time when we ourselves were foolish and unwilling to obey God. We strongly desired to do things that made us feel good, and so we did those things. But then we discovered that we were unable to stop doing those things. We were constantly envying each other and doing other evil things. We caused people to hate us and we hated each other. BSB BSB: For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 UST But then when God showed us that he was acting generously to save us because he loves us, BSB BSB: But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 UST he saved us by removing our sin from us as though he had washed it away. As he did this, the Holy Spirit made us new and enabled us to start living in a new way for God. He did not save us because we do good things, but he saved us because he is merciful. BSB BSB: He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 UST God generously gave us his Holy Spirit when Jesus the Messiah saved us. BSB BSB: This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 UST When Jesus freely gave himself for us, God declared that everything was made right between him and us. Because Jesus did that, God gave us the Holy Spirit so that we can share in everything that the Lord Jesus has to give us, especially everlasting life with him. BSB BSB: so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
8 UST This is a statement that everyone can trust. I want you to continually emphasize these things so that those who have believed God may constantly devote themselves to doing those things that are good and that help others. These things are excellent and beneficial for everyone. BSB BSB: This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
Avoid Divisions (Romans 16:17–20)
9 UST But many people will want to debate with you about senseless things, such as about lists of Jewish ancestors. They will want to dispute with you about{ religious} law and argue with you about many things. Do not engage with them in any of that. Those kinds of things are useless and they do not help you in any way. BSB BSB: But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
10 UST If someone insists on engaging in these divisive activities after you have warned him one or two times to stop doing it, then have nothing more to do with him, BSB BSB: Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
11 UST because you know that someone like that has rejected the truth; he is sinning and condemns himself. BSB BSB: knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Remarks and Greetings 12 UST I plan to send Artemas or Tychicus to you. After one of them arrives, come quickly to me at the town of Nicopolis, because I have decided to stay there for the winter. BSB BSB: As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
13 UST Do everything you can to equip Zenas the law expert and Apollos for their journey, making sure that they have everything that they need. BSB BSB: Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.
14 UST In the same way, make sure that our people learn to occupy themselves with doing good things for people who need help. By doing this, they will be living in a useful way for God. BSB BSB: And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
15 UST Titus, all those who are with me greet you! Please greet for us everyone there who loves us as fellow believers. May God continue to be kind to all of you. BSB BSB: All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.