Titus 3 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to be ready to do whatever is genuinely good,

to trash-talk no one, to avoid fighting, to be considerate, and to show complete gentleness toward everyone.

Because we ourselves were once foolish too — disobedient, led astray, enslaved to all kinds of cravings and pleasures, spending our days in bitterness and jealousy, despised by others and despising each other.

But when the kindness and love for humanity of God our Rescuer broke through,

he rescued us — not because of anything right that we had done, but because of his mercy. He did it through the washing of new birth and the renewal that comes from the Breath of God,

which he poured out on us generously through Jesus, the One, our Rescuer,

so that, having been made right by his undeserved kindness, we would become heirs with the confident expectation of limitless life.

This is a trustworthy statement, and I want you to be confident about these things, so that those who have put their trust in God will be intentional about devoting themselves to doing good. These things are excellent and beneficial for everyone.

But stay away from stupid arguments, genealogy debates, quarrels, and fights about the law of Moses — they're useless and get you nowhere.

If someone is causing division, warn them once, then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing more to do with them.

You can be sure that someone like that has become twisted and keeps on failing — they stand self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I've decided to spend the winter there.

Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and make sure they have everything they need.

And our people need to learn to devote themselves to doing good in order to meet urgent needs — so that their lives aren't unproductive.

Everyone here with me sends their greetings. Give our greetings to those who care about us because of the trust we share. Undeserved kindness be with all of you.