⁵

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-

⁶

if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

⁷

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

⁸

but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

⁹

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

¹⁰

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

¹¹

whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

¹²

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."

¹³

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

¹⁴

not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

¹⁵

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

¹⁶

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

¹

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: