1 Timothy 3
1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
Stedfast [is] the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
4 An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,
5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
(and if any one his own house [how] to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;
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.
and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
Ministrants — in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,
9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
Women — in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful 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.
Ministrants — let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,
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 those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that [is] in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,
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.
and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth [thee] to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God — a pillar and foundation of the truth,
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, confessedly, great is the secret of piety — God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!
