1 Timothy 3
1 Here is a trustworthy word: if a man aspires to the position of overseer, he desires a good work.
True is the saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 Now then, it is obligatory for the overseer to be above reproach, a one woman man, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, good at teaching,
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching;
3 not a drinker, not a bully, not corrupt [financially], but gentle, peaceful, not greedy;
not given to wine, not a striker, but forbearing, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money;
4 one who rules his own house well, having children who obey him with due respect
presiding well over his own house, having his children in subjection with all propriety; —
5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how can he take care of God's congregation?);
for if a man knoweth not how to preside over his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God—
6 not a recent convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same judgment that the devil did.
not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil;
7 Also, it is necessary for him to have a good reputation with those who are outside the congregation, so as not to fall into reproach and the devil's snare.
moreover he must also have a good report from them that are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.
8 Similarly, deacons must be respectable, not deceitful, not heavy drinkers, not corrupt [financially];
Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain,
9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 But let these also first be tested; then, if they are blameless, let them serve as deacons.
And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they are without reproach.
11 Similarly, women must be respectable, not slanderers, temperate, trustworthy in everything.
The women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons be one woman men, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and considerable confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
For they that have served well as deacons, gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope to come to you shortly, I am writing these things to you
These things write I to thee, hoping to come to thee shortly;
15 in case I am delayed, so that you may know how it is necessary to conduct oneself in God's household, which is the Church of the living God, pillar and foundation of the truth.
but if I should tarry long, that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Yes, the mystery of our religion is confessedly great: God was manifested in flesh, was vindicated in spirit, was revealed to angels, was proclaimed among nations, was believed in the world, was received up in glory!
And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness, in him who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
