4:12. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
4:13. The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee: and the books, especially the parchments.
4:14. Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will reward him according to his works:
4:15. Whom do thou also avoid: for he hath greatly withstood our words.
4:16. At my first answer, no man stood with me: but all forsook me. May it not be laid to their charge!
4:17. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished and that all the Gentiles may hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
4:18. The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19. Salute Prisca, and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20. Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
4:21. Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren, salute thee.
4:22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
Amen.
THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO t.i.tUS
St. Paul, having preached the faith in the island of Crete, he ordained his beloved disciple and companion, t.i.tus, bishop, and left him there to finish the work which he had begun. Afterwards the Apostle, on a journey to Nicopolis, a city of Macedonia, wrote this Epistle to t.i.tus, in which he directs him to ordain bishops and priests for the different cities, shewing him the princ.i.p.al qualities necessary for a bishop. He also gives him particular advice for his own conduct to his flock, exhorting him to hold to strictness of discipline, but seasoned with lenity. It was written about thirty-three years after our Lord"s Ascension.
t.i.tus Chapter 1
What kind of men he is to ordain priests. Some men are to be sharply rebuked.
1:1. Paul, a servant of G.o.d and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the elect of G.o.d and the acknowledging of the truth, which is according to G.o.dliness:
1:2. Unto the hope of life everlasting, which G.o.d, who lieth not, hath promised before the times of the world:
1:3. But hath in due times manifested his word in preaching, which is committed to me according to the commandment of G.o.d our Saviour:
1:4. To t.i.tus, my beloved son according to the common faith, grace and peace, from G.o.d the Father and from Christ Jesus our Saviour.
1:5. For this cause I left thee in Crete: that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee:
1:6. If any be without crime, the husband of one wife having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly.
1:7. For a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of G.o.d: not proud, not subject to anger, nor given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre:
1:8. But given to hospitality, gentle, sober, just, holy, continent:
1:9. Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince the gainsayers.
1:10. For there are also many disobedient, vain talkers and seducers: especially they who are of the circ.u.mcision.
1:11. Who must be reproved, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre"s sake.
1:12. One of them a prophet of their own, said: The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slothful bellies.
1:13. This testimony is true. Wherefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith:
1:14. Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn themselves away from the truth.
1:15. All things are clean to the clean: but to them that are defiled and to unbelievers, nothing is clean: but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
1:16. They profess that they know G.o.d: but in their works they deny him: being abominable and incredulous and to every good work reprobate.
t.i.tus Chapter 2
How he is to instruct both old and young. The duty of servants. The Christian"s rule of life.
2:1. But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine:
2:2. That the aged men be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience.
2:3. The aged women, in like manner, in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well:
2:4. That they may teach the young women to be wise, to love their husbands, to love their children.
2:5. To be discreet, chaste, sober, having a care of the house, gentle, obedient to their husbands: that the word of G.o.d be not blasphemed.
2:6. Young men, in like manner, exhort that they be sober.
2:7. In all things shew thyself an example of good works, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity,
2:8. The sound word that can not be blamed: that he who is on the contrary part may be afraid, having no evil to say of us.
2:9. Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters: in all things pleasing, not gainsaying:
2:10. Not defrauding, but in all things shewing good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of G.o.d our Saviour in all things.
2:11. For the grace of G.o.d our Saviour hath appeared to all men:
2:12. Instructing us, that, denying unG.o.dliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly and G.o.dly in this world,
2:13. Looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great G.o.d and our Saviour Jesus Christ.