1 Timothy 3
1 This is a trustworthy statement: “If someone aspires to be an elder, this is a good work to want to do.”
La palabra es fiel: Si alguno desea obispado (oficio de pastor o anciano en la Iglesia), ministerio difícil desea.
2 An elder must be above reproach, married to one wife, self-controlled, well-balanced, sensible, hospitable, and able to teach.
Conviene, pues, que el obispo sea irreprensible, marido de una sola mujer, vigilante, templado, de afectos mundanos mortificados, hospedador, apto para enseñar;
3 He should be someone who doesn't get drunk or become violent, but is gentle, and is not argumentative or greedy for money.
no dado al vino, no heridor, no codicioso de ganancias deshonestas, sino moderado, no litigioso, ajeno de avaricia;
4 He must handle his own family well. His children must respect what he tells them to do.
que gobierne bien su casa, que tenga sus hijos en sujeción con toda integridad
5 (For if a man doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he manage God's church?)
(porque el que no sabe gobernar su casa, ¿cómo cuidará de la Iglesia de Dios?);
6 He should not be a new believer, in case he gets so full of himself he falls under the same condemnation as the devil.
no un neófito, para que inflándose no caiga en juicio del diablo.
7 People outside the church should also speak well of him so that he won't disgrace himself and fall into the devil's trap.
También conviene que tenga buen testimonio de los de afuera, para que no caiga en vergüenza y en lazo del diablo.
8 Similarly deacons should be respected, and not hypocritical. They should not be addicted to drink, and should not be trying to dishonestly enrich themselves.
Los diáconos asimismo, honestos, no de dos lenguas, no dados a mucho vino, no amadores de ganancias deshonestas;
9 They must stick to the revealed truth about God, trusting in him with a pure conscience.
que tengan el misterio de la fe juntamente con limpia conciencia.
10 They should be tried out first, and if they can't be faulted then let them serve as deacons.
Y éstos también sean antes probados; y así ministren, si fueren irreprensibles.
11 Their wives should be respected too. They should not slander people with gossip, and they should be self-controlled and trustworthy in all they do.
Las mujeres asimismo honestas, no detractoras; templadas, fieles en todo.
12 Deacons should be married to one wife, managing their children and their homes well.
Los diáconos sean maridos de una sola mujer, que gobiernen bien sus hijos y sus casas.
13 Those who serve well as deacons gain a good reputation and much confidence in their trust in Christ Jesus.
Porque los que bien ministraren, ganan para sí buen grado, y mucha confianza en la fe que es en Cristo Jesús.
14 Even though I hope to see you soon, I'm writing about all this to you so that
Esto te escribo con la esperanza que iré presto a ti;
15 if I'm delayed you'll know how people should behave themselves in God's house. This is the church of the living God, the support pillar and foundation of the truth.
y si no fuere tan presto, para que sepas cómo convenga conversar en la Casa de Dios, que es la Iglesia del Dios viviente, columna y base de La verdad.
16 There's no question about it: the revealed truth about God is amazing! He was made known to us in human form, he was vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, declared to the nations, trusted in by the world, and taken up in glory!
Y sin falta, grande es el misterio de la piedad: Dios se ha manifestado en carne; ha sido justificado con el Espíritu; ha sido visto de los Angeles; ha sido predicado a los gentiles; ha sido creído en el mundo; ha sido recibido en gloria.
