[1:5] This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
[1:6] if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
[1:7] For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
[1:8] but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
[1:9] He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
[1:10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
[1:11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
[1:12] One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
[1:13] This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
[1:14] not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
[1:15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
[1:16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.