1 Timothy 3
1 It is a faithful saying: if a man desires the episcopate, he desires a good work.
This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.
2 Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher,
Therefore the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for sordid gain, but gentle, not contentious, and not a lover of money.
4 but a man who leads his own house well, having children who are subordinate with all chastity.
He must lead his own household well, keeping his children in submission with all dignity.
5 For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he take care of the Church of God?
(For if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)
6 He must not be a new convert, lest, being elated by pride, he may fall under the sentence of the devil.
He must not be a new convert, or he might become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 And it is necessary for him also to have good testimony from those who are outside, so that he may not fall into disrepute and the snare of the devil.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.
8 Similarly, deacons must be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing tainted profit,
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for sordid gain.
9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 And these things should be proven first, and then they may minister, being without offense.
They must first be tested; if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 Similarly, the women must be chaste, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded and faithful in all things.
12 Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well.
A deacon must be the husband of one wife and must lead his children and his own household well.
13 For those who have ministered well will acquire for themselves a good position, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
For those who have served well as deacons obtain a good standing for themselves along with great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing these things to you, with the hope that I will come to you soon.
I am writing these things to yoʋ, hoping to come to yoʋ soon.
15 But, if I am delayed, you should know the manner in which it is necessary to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and the foundation of truth.
But if I delay, I am writing so that yoʋ may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 And it is clearly great, this mystery of piety, which was manifested in the flesh, which was justified in the Spirit, which has appeared to Angels, which has been preached to the Gentiles, which is believed in the world, which has been taken up in glory.
Beyond all question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
