Προς Τιμοθεον Α΄ 3
1 πιστος ο λογος ει τις επισκοπης ορεγεται καλου εργου επιθυμει
This saying is true. If one earnestly seek the office of a bishop, he desires an excellent work.
2 δει ουν τον επισκοπον ανεπιληπτον ειναι μιας γυναικος ανδρα νηφαλιον σωφρονα κοσμιον φιλοξενον διδακτικον
The bishop, then, must be unblamed, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of comely behavior, hospitable, fit to teach;
3 μη παροινον μη πληκτην μη αισχροκερδη αλλ επιεικη αμαχον αφιλαργυρον
not given to wine, no striker, but gentle; not quarrelsome, nor a lover of money:
4 του ιδιου οικου καλως προισταμενον τεκνα εχοντα εν υποταγη μετα πασης σεμνοτητος
one who rules well his own house, having his children in subjection to him with all gravity:
5 ει δε τις του ιδιου οικου προστηναι ουκ οιδεν πως εκκλησιας θεου επιμελησεται
for if one know not how to govern his own house; how shall he take care of the congregation of God?
6 μη νεοφυτον ινα μη τυφωθεις εις κριμα εμπεση του διαβολου
Not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 δει δε αυτον και μαρτυριαν καλην εχειν απο των εξωθεν ινα μη εις ονειδισμον εμπεση και παγιδα του διαβολου
Moreover, he must even have a good report from those without, that he may not fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil.
8 διακονους ωσαυτως σεμνους μη διλογους μη οινω πολλω προσεχοντας μη αισχροκερδεις
The deacons, in like manner, must be grave, not double-tongued, not giving themselves to much wine, not persons who earn money by base methods;
9 εχοντας το μυστηριον της πιστεως εν καθαρα συνειδησει
holding fast the secret of the faith with a pure conscience.
10 και ουτοι δε δοκιμαζεσθωσαν πρωτον ειτα διακονειτωσαν ανεγκλητοι οντες
But let those also be first proved: then let them exercise the office of the deacon, being without blame.
11 γυναικας ωσαυτως σεμνας μη διαβολους νηφαλιους πιστας εν πασιν
The women, in like manner, must be grave, not slanderers; but vigilant, faithful in all things.
12 διακονοι εστωσαν μιας γυναικος ανδρες τεκνων καλως προισταμενοι και των ιδιων οικων
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their families.
13 οι γαρ καλως διακονησαντες βαθμον εαυτοις καλον περιποιουνται και πολλην παρρησιαν εν πιστει τη εν χριστω ιησου
For they who have performed the office of a deacon well, procure to themselves an excellent degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 ταυτα σοι γραφω ελπιζων ελθειν προς σε ταχιον
These things I write to you, hoping to come to you soon.
15 εαν δε βραδυνω ινα ειδης πως δει εν οικω θεου αναστρεφεσθαι ητις εστιν εκκλησια θεου ζωντος στυλος και εδραιωμα της αληθειας
But if I tarry long, that you may know you ought to behave yourselves in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.--
16 και ομολογουμενως μεγα εστιν το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον θεος εφανερωθη εν σαρκι εδικαιωθη εν πνευματι ωφθη αγγελοις εκηρυχθη εν εθνεσιν επιστευθη εν κοσμω ανεληφθη εν δοξη
And, confessedly, great is the secret of godliness; --he who has manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit; seen of messengers, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
