Titus 2

Doing Good Because of the Good News 1But what you teach must agree with true teaching.

2Tell the older men that in anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of respect. They must control themselves. They must have true faith. They must love others. They must not give up. 3In the same way, teach the older women to lead a holy life. They must not tell lies about others. They must not let wine control them. Instead, they must teach what is good. 4Then they can advise the younger women to love their husbands and children.

5The younger women must control themselves and be pure. They must take good care of their homes. They must be kind. They must follow the lead of their husbands. Then no one will be able to speak evil things against God’s word. 6In the same way, help the young men to control themselves. 7Do what is good. Set an example for them in everything. When you teach, be honest and serious.

8No one can question the truth. So teach what is true. Then those who oppose you will be ashamed. That’s because they will have nothing bad to say about us. 9Teach slaves to obey their masters in everything they do. Tell them to try to please their masters. They must not talk back to them.

10They must not steal from them. Instead, they must show that they can be trusted completely. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior appealing in every way. 11God’s grace has now appeared. By his grace, God offers to save all people. 12His grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful desires. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world. 13That’s how we should live as we wait for the blessed hope God has given us. We are waiting for Jesus Christ to appear in his glory. He is our great God and Savior.

14He gave himself for us. By doing that, he set us free from all evil. He wanted to make us pure. He wanted us to be his very own people. He wanted us to desire to do what is good. 15These are the things you should teach. Encourage people and give them hope. Correct them with full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.