1 Timothy 3
1 It is certain, if any one is desirous of the episcopal office, he desireth a good work.
Here is a trustworthy word: if a man aspires to the position of overseer, he desires a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, sober, prudent, grave,
Now then, it is obligatory for the overseer to be above reproach, a one woman man, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, good at teaching,
3 hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of sordid gain, moderate, not quarrelsome,
not a drinker, not a bully, not corrupt [financially], but gentle, peaceful, not greedy;
4 not covetous, governing his own family well, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
one who rules his own house well, having children who obey him with due respect
5 (for if any one know not how to govern his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how can he take care of God's congregation?);
6 not one newly converted, least being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
not a recent convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same judgment that the devil did.
7 He ought also to have an honorable testimony from those that are without, least he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
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.
8 The deacons should likewise be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain,
Similarly, deacons must be respectable, not deceitful, not heavy drinkers, not corrupt [financially];
9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
10 (And let these also first be proved, then let them take the office of deacons, if they be found blameless.)
But let these also first be tested; then, if they are blameless, let them serve as deacons.
11 And their wives likewise grave, not slanderers, sober, and faithful in all things.
Similarly, women must be respectable, not slanderers, temperate, trustworthy in everything.
12 Let the deacons too be husbands of one wife only, governing their children and their own houses well.
Let deacons be one woman men, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they, that discharge the office of a deacon well, gain to themselves a good degree of honor, and much freedom in promoting the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
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.
14 These things I write unto thee, hoping to come to thee shortly.
Although I hope to come to you shortly, I am writing these things to you
15 But if I should be retarded, that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
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.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
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!
