1 Timothy 3
1 The word [is] steadfast: If anyone longs for overseership, he desires a right work;
This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.
2 it is required, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, a husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, respectable, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
Therefore the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for sordid gain, but gentle, not contentious, and not a lover of money.
4 leading his own house well, having children in subjection with all dignity,
He must lead his own household well, keeping his children in submission with all dignity.
5 (and if anyone has not known [how] to lead his own house, how will he take care of an assembly of God?)
(For if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)
6 not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the Devil;
He must not be a new convert, or he might become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 and it is required of him also to have a good testimony from those outside, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.
8 Servants, in like manner, dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to shameful gain,
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for sordid gain.
9 having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
They must first be tested; if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 Women, in like manner, dignified, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded and faithful in all things.
12 Servants—let them be husbands of one wife, leading the children well, and their own houses,
A deacon must be the husband of one wife and must lead his children and his own household well.
13 for those who ministered well acquire a good step to themselves, and much boldness in faith that [is] in Christ Jesus.
For those who have served well as deacons obtain a good standing for themselves along with great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 I write to you these things, hoping to come to you soon,
I am writing these things to yoʋ, hoping to come to yoʋ soon.
15 and if I delay, that you may know how it is required to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God—a pillar and foundation of the truth,
But if I delay, I am writing so that yoʋ may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 and confessedly, great is the secret of piety: who was revealed in flesh, declared righteous in [the] Spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!
Beyond all question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
