< 1 Timothy 3 >
1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthie worke.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
A Bishop therefore must be vnreproueable, the husband of one wife, watching, temperate, modest, harberous, apt to teache,
3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
Not giuen to wine, no striker, not giuen to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not couetous,
4 An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
One that can rule his owne house honestly, hauing children vnder obedience with all honestie.
5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
For if any cannot rule his owne house, how shall he care for the Church of God?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
He may not be a yong scholer, lest he being puffed vp fall into the condemnation of the deuill.
7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
He must also be well reported of, euen of them which are without, lest he fall into rebuke, and the snare of the deuill.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
Likewise must Deacons be graue, not double tongued, not giuen vnto much wine, neither to filthy lucre,
9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
Hauing the mysterie of the faith in pure conscience.
10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
And let them first be proued: then let them minister, if they be found blameles.
11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
Likewise their wiues must be honest, not euill speakers, but sober, and faithfull in all things.
12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as can rule their children well, and their owne housholdes.
13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
For they that haue ministred well, get them selues a good degree, and great libertie in the faith, which is in Christ Iesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
These things write I vnto thee, trusting to come very shortly vnto thee.
15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
But if I tary long, that thou maist yet know, how thou oughtest to behaue thy self in ye house of God, which is the Church of the liuing God, the pillar and ground of trueth.
16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.