My translation of Titus.
No, not so I can have my own spin on it, or an “authoritative text” to work from;
Feel free to read it in other translations. Compare them to one another so you can see the translators’ consensus—and that gives you a better idea of what John meant, than simply reading
Titus 1 KWL 1 Pávlos, God’s slave- and Christ Jesus’s apostle,
- consistent with the faith of God’s select,
- and consistent with the recognition of the truth—
- consistent with piety—
2 in the hope of life in the age to come,- which the never-lying God promised
- before the time of this age.
3 He made his message of this eternal life known- through preaching in our own time,
- which was entrusted to me
- according to the command of our savior God.
4 To Titus, my genuine child- according to our common faith:
- Grace and peace from God the Father,
- and Christ Jesus our savior.
5 This is why I have you¹ remain in Crete:- So you¹ might organize the things we leave there.
- So you¹ might designate elders for each city,
- as I commanded you.¹
6 If a certain person has no controversy about them,¹- a one-woman man,
- has believing children,
- has never been accused of excessive living
- nor of being unsubmissive
7 —for a supervisor has to be uncontroversial,- being like God’s butler.
- Not arrogant.
- Not quick-tempered.
- Not drunk.
- Not picking fights.
- Not greedy for “prosperity.”
8 Instead, loves strangers.- Loves goodness.
- Sound-minded.
- Fair.
- Pious.
- Self-disciplined.
9 Holds tight to what’s consistent- with the message of faith as taught,
- so they¹ might be able to help in the sound teaching,
- and in rebuking those who contradict it.
10 For many people do refuse to submit to others.- They’re all talk, and misleading.
- Particularly those of the circumcision faction.
11 It’s necessary to muzzle them—- whatever teachings knock down whole houses,
- which they ought not teach,
- but do to gain an immoral advantage.
12 A certain one of their own—a prophet!—says,- “Cretans always lie, the evil beasts. Lazy stomachs.”
13 This witness is true.- For this reason rebuke them quickly,
- so they might have a healthy faith,
14 paying no attention to Jewish myths,- and human commands which turn away from truth.
15 Everything is ritually clean to clean people.- To contaminated people, and unbelievers,
- nothing is clean—
- instead it contaminated them, the mind, and the conscience.
16 They claim they know God,- and their works deny it—
- being disgusting and disobedient,
- and worthless in every good work.
The apostle’s job. [1.1-4]
How the elders of Crete oughta behave. [1.5-9]
How the “elders” of Crete did behave. [1.10-16]
Titus 2 KWL 1 Speak out, Titus, about whatever comes up,- with healthy teaching.
2 Elders ought to be in their right minds.- Well respected. Self-controlled.
- They should have healthy faith,
- healthy love, healthy consistency.
3 Women elders likewise with devout behavior.- Not backstabbing.
- Not enslaved to heavy drinking.
- Teachers of good things,
4 so they might train the new Christians- to love their men,
- to love their children.
5 Self-disciplined. Clean.- Good at running a household.
- Submitting to their own men,
- so God’s word won’t be slandered.
6 Teenagers likewise:- Help them in self-discipline.
7 In everything present yourself¹- as an example of good works.
- In teaching, integrity and honesty,
8 a healthy, irrefutable word,- so those from the opposition might respect it,
- having nothing evil to say about us.
9 Slaves are to obey their own wardens- in every acceptable way.
- Not to argue.
10 Not to embezzle.- Instead demonstrate all good faith
- so God our Savior’s teaching will decorate everything.
11 For God’s grace is now obvious:- Salvation to all people!
12 Educating us into renouncing impiety and worldly desires;- we should live soberly, fairly, and godly in the present age,
13 patiently awaiting “the blessed hope,”- the appearance of the glory
- of our great God and savior, Christ Jesus.
14 He gives himself for us- so he might redeem us from all lawlessness,
- and might purify his own unique people,
- who are eager for good works.
15 Speak these things.- Encourage and rebuke, with all authority.
- No one is allowed to dismiss you.¹
How elders must encourage fellow Christians to behave. [2.1-10]
Grace and salvation in the present age. [2.11-15]
Titus 3 KWL 1 Remind the people about rulers, about powers—- to be submissive, to listen to authorities,
- to be ready for every good work.
- 2 To never slander. To not be “tough guys.” Appropriate.
- Showing every humility to every person.
- 3 For at one point we were just as stupid—
- unyielding, wayward, slaving for desires and various pleasures,
- spending our lives in evil and envy,
- hated and hating each other.
4 That’s when the kindness and love for humanity- of our savior God appeared—
5 not because of works of righteousness which we do,- but God saves us because of his mercy,
- through washing, rebirth, and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he richly pours out over us- through Christ Jesus our savior,
7 so we who are justified in that grace might become heirs,- according to the hope of life in the age to come.
8 A true teaching—- and I’d like you¹ to regularly insist on these things
- so those who trusted God
- might thoughtfully practice good works.
- These things are good and helpful for people.
9 Moronic lessons and good heritage,- friction, and fights over the Law:
- Step away, for they’re wasteful and meaningless.
10 After the first and second rebukes,- shut down a heretic person,
11 knowing such a person was uprooted- and sins, condemning one’s self.
12 I might send either Artemas or Tychicus to you;¹- when I do, be quick to come to me in Nikópolis,
- for I decided to winter there.
13 Quickly bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, with you,- so they might not be left behind.
14 Our people must also learn to maintain good works;- they’re necessary business
- so they might not be fruitless.
15 Everyone with me greets you.¹- Greet our friends in faith.
- Grace to all of you.²
{Amen.}
Reminding Titus to not be “wild at heart.” [3.1-7]
God’s unmerited favor. [3.4-7]
Put a stop to argumentative Christians. [3.8-11]
Last words to Titus. [3.12-15]
So, the usual notes about my translation:
- It’s mostly present tense because Paul used present tense. Since
aorist tense has no time, it borrows the time of the nearby verbs, which’d usually be present. - I actually use italics for emphasis! Words added to make the text clearer English are either gray or lighter red.
- Braces, and the greenish tint, mean the words aren’t in the original; they were added by
the Textus Receptus. - The superscript 1 and 2 indicates whether “you” or “they” is singular or plural. Nope, they’re not footnotes.
