1 Timothy 3
1 This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.
Faithful is the saying, If any man aspires to supervision, he desires a good work.
2 Therefore the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
The overseer therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, serious minded, disciplined, loving strangers, able to teach,
3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for sordid gain, but gentle, not contentious, and not a lover of money.
no drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, but gentle, noncontentious, no lover of money,
4 He must lead his own household well, keeping his children in submission with all dignity.
a man who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all propriety
5 (For if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)
(but if any man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of a congregation of God?),
6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.
And he must also have good testimony from those outside, lest he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for sordid gain.
Helpers likewise, be honorable, not double-tongued, not attending to much wine, not greedy of base gain,
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 They must first be tested; if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
And let these also first be proven, then being blameless, let them serve.
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded and faithful in all things.
The wives likewise, be honorable, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things.
12 A deacon must be the husband of one wife and must lead his children and his own household well.
Let helpers be husbands of one wife, ruling children and their own houses well.
13 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.
For those who serve well will acquire to themselves a good standing, and much boldness in the faith in Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing these things to yoʋ, hoping to come to yoʋ soon.
These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee sooner,
15 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.
but if I delay, that thou may know how it is necessary to live in a house of God, which is a congregation of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 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.
And without controversy great is the mystery of piety. God was manifested in flesh, justified in spirit, seen by agents, proclaimed among nations, believed in the world, taken up in glory.
