For there are many disobedient and talkers of vanity, and deceivers of minds, namely they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, which pervert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, because of filthy lucre. One being of themselves, which was a poet of their own said: The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and slowbellies. This witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, and not taking heed to jewes fables, and commandments of men, which turn from the truth. Unto the pure, are all things pure: but unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving, is nothing pure: but even the very minds and consciences of them are defiled. They confess that they know God: but with deeds they deny him and are abominable, and disobedient, and unto all good works discommendable.
The .ij. Chapter.
But speak thou that which becometh wholesome learning: That the elder men be sober, honest, discreet, sound in the faith, in love and in patience. And the elder women likewise that they be in such raiment, as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much drinking, but teachers of honest things, that they nurture the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be of honest behaviour, chaste, housewifely, good, and obedient unto their own husbands, that the word of God be not evil spoken of. Young men likewise exhort that they be of honest manners.
Above all things shew thyself an ensample of good works in the doctrine, shew uncorruption, honesty, and the wholesome word which cannot be rebuked, that he which withstandeth may be ashamed, having no thing in you that he may dispraise. The servants exhort to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please in all things, not answering again, neither be pickers, but that they shew all good faithfulness, that they may do worship to the doctrine of God our saviour in all things. For the grace of God, that bringeth health unto all men, hath appeared and teacheth us that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live honestly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the mighty God, and of our saviour Iesu Christ: which gave himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness, and to purge us a peculiar people unto himself, fervently given unto good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke, with all commanding. See that no man despise thee.
The .iij. Chapter.
Warn them that they submit themselves to rule and power, to obey the officers, that they be prompt unto all good works, that they speak evil of no man, that they be no fighters, but soft, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were in times past, unwise, disobedient, deceived, in danger to lusts, and to divers manners of voluptuousness, living in maliciousness and envy, full of hate, hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of our saviour to manward appeared, not of the deeds of righteousness which we wrought, but of his mercy, he saved us, by the fountain of the new birth, and with the renewing of the holy ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, thorow Iesus Christ our saviour, that we once justified by his grace, should be heirs of eternal life, thorow hope. This is a true saying.
Of these things I would thou shouldest certify, that they which believe God, might be studious to go forward in good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Foolish questions, and genealogies, and brawlings and strife about the law avoid, for they are unprofitable, and superfluous. A man that is the actor {aucthor} of sects, after the first and the second admonition avoid, remembering that he that is such, is perverted, and sinneth, even damned by his own judgement.
When I shall send Artemas unto thee or Tichicus be diligent to come to me unto Nichopolis. For I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be lacking unto them. And let ours also learn to excel in good works as far forth as need requireth, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all, Amen.
Written from Nichopolis a citie of Macedonia.