wmth Titus:1:5-16 SEEK
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I have left you behind in Crete in order that you may set right the things which still require attention ,
and appoint Elders in every town ,
as I directed you to do ;
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wherever there is a man of blameless life ,
true to his one wife ,
having children who are themselves believers and are free from every reproach of profligacy or of stubborn self-will .
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For ,
as God '
s steward ,
a minister must be of blameless life ,
not over-fond of having his own way ,
not a man of a passionate temper nor a hard drinker ,
not given to blows nor greedy of gain ,
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but hospitable to strangers ,
a lover of goodness ,
sober-minded ,
upright ,
saintly ,
self-controlled ;
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holding fast to the faithful Message which he has received ,
so that he may be well qualified both to encourage others with sound teaching and to reply successfully to opponents .
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For there are many that spurn authority –
idle ,
talkative and deceitful persons ,
who ,
for the most part ,
are adherents of the Circumcision .
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You must stop the mouths of such men ,
for they overthrow the faith of whole families ,
teaching what they ought not ,
just for the sake of making money .
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One of their own number –
a Prophet who is a countryman of theirs –
has said , »
Cretans are always liars ,
dangerous animals ,
idle gluttons .«
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This testimony is true .
Therefore sternly denounce them ,
that they may be robust in their faith ,
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and not give attention to Jewish legends and the maxims of men who turn their backs on the truth .
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To the pure everything is pure ;
but to the polluted and unbelieving nothing is pure ,
but on the contrary their very minds and consciences are polluted .
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They profess to know God ;
but in their actions they disown Him ,
and are detestable and disobedient men ,
and for any good work are utterly useless .