Timotheum I 3
1 Fidelis sermo: si quis episcopatum desiderat, bonum opus desiderat.
This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.
2 Oportet enim episcopum irreprehensibilem esse: unius uxoris virum, sobrium, prudentem, ornatum, pudicum, hospitalem, doctorem,
The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;
3 non vinolentum, non percussorem, sed modestum: non litigiosum, non cupidum, sed
Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;
4 suae domui bene praepositum: filios habentem subditos cum omni castitate.
Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour;
5 Si quis autem domui suae praeesse nescit, quomodo Ecclesiae Dei diligentiam habebit?
(For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)
6 Non neophytum: ne in superbiam elatus, in iudicium incidat diaboli.
Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.
7 Oportet autem illum et testimonium habere bonum ab iis, qui foris sunt, ut non in opprobrium incidat, et in laqueum diaboli.
And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.
8 Diaconos similiter pudicos, non bilingues, non multo vino deditos, non turpe lucrum sectantes:
Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;
9 habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura.
Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.
10 Et hi autem probentur primum: et sic ministrent, nullum crimen habentes.
And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.
11 Mulieres similiter pudicas, non detrahentes, sobrias, fideles in omnibus.
Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.
12 Diaconi sint unius uxoris viri: qui filiis suis bene praesint, et suis domibus.
Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well.
13 Qui enim bene ministraverint, gradum bonum sibi acquirent, et multam fiduciam in fide, quae est in Christo Iesu.
For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 Haec tibi scribo fili Thimothee, sperans me ad te venire cito.
I am writing these things to you, though I am hoping to come to you before long;
15 si autem tardavero, ut scias quomodo oporteat te in domo Dei conversari, quae est Ecclesia Dei vivi, columna et firmamentum veritatis.
But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.
16 Et manifeste magnum est pietatis sacramentum, quod manifestatum est in carne, iustificatum est in spiritu, apparuit angelis, praedicatum est Gentibus, creditum est in mundo, assumptum est in gloria.
And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.
