A COLLECTION OF EPISTLES

9 He who holds fast to the true word, according to the doctrine, that he may be strong, and to instruct in sound doctrine, and to rebuke those who resist.

10 For there are many who are disobedient, and who speak idly and deceive, especially among the circumcised,

11 With which the mouth ought to be stopped, they corrupt whole houses, teaching what ought not to be done out of shameful gain.

12 Of these, one poet said: "The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slothful wombs."

13 This testimony is just. Wherefore rebuke them severely, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 not heeding the fables of the Jews, and the statutes of men that turn away from the truth.

15 To the pure all things are pure; but for the defiled and unfaithful there is nothing pure, but their mind and conscience are defiled.

16 They say that they know God, but by their works they deny it, being abominable and disobedient, and incapable of any good work.

2

1 And thou shalt say that which is in accordance with sound doctrine:

2 that the elders may be vigilant, sedate, chaste, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

3 that the old women should also dress fittingly to the saints, that they should not be slanderers, that they should not be enslaved to drunkenness, that they should teach good;

4 That they may admonish the young to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 to be chaste, pure, caring for the house, kind, submissive to their husbands, let not the word of God be blamed.

6 Thou shalt also exhort the young men to be chaste.

7 In all things show in yourself an example of good works, in teaching purity, sedateness, integrity,

8 A sound word, blameless, so that the adversary may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

9 Exhort the servants to obey their masters, to please them in all things, not to reproach,