1 Timothy 3
1 Here is a trustworthy word: if a man aspires to the position of overseer, he desires a good work.
Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh 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,
The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, soberminded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 not a drinker, not a bully, not corrupt [financially], but gentle, peaceful, not greedy;
no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;
4 one who rules his own house well, having children who obey him with due respect
one that ruleth well his own house, having [his] children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how can he take care of God's congregation?);
(but if a man knoweth not how to rule 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 novice, lest being puffed up 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 have good testimony 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 doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
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 be blameless.
11 Similarly, women must be respectable, not slanderers, temperate, trustworthy in everything.
Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons be one woman men, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Let deacons be 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 to 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 unto thee, hoping to come unto 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 tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground 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 without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
