Pāvila 1. Vēstule Timotejam 3
1 Tas ir patiesīgs vārds: ja kas iekāro bīskapa amatu, tas iekāro teicamu darbu.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 Tad nu bīskapam pienākas būt nenoziedzīgam, vienas sievas vīram, sātīgam, prātīgam, godīgam, kas labprāt dod mājas vietu, un kas māk mācīt;
[Since that is a task that others should respect], an overseer must [live] in such a way that [no one] can truly (say that he has done [anything that is] wrong/find fault with him). Specifically, [he must be] faithful to his wife. He must think clearly [about what he does]. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach [God’s truth] well.
3 Kas nav dzērājs, ne rējējs, nedz negodīgas peļņas dzinējs, bet lēnīgs, ne strīdīgs, ne naudas kārīgs;
He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight [those who make him angry]. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.
4 Kas savu namu labi valda, kam bērni, kas paklausa ar visu godu;
He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his children obey and completely respect,
5 (Bet ja kas savu paša namu nezin valdīt, kā tas gādās par Dieva draudzēm?)
because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, (he certainly cannot care for God’s congregation!/how can he care for God’s congregation?) [RHQ]
6 Ne tāds, kas kristīgu ticību tikko uzņēmis, lai neuzpūšas un neiekrīt zaimotāja tiesā.
He must not be one who has just recently [trusted in Jesus], because [if you choose a man] like that, he might become conceited/proud [because you chose him so soon]. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil [because he was conceited/proud].
7 Bet viņam vajag arī labas liecības no tiem, kas ārā, ka neiekrīt nievāšanā un zaimotāja valgos.
Moreover, [an elder must live] in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because [if he conducts himself like] that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] [like people capture animals] in a trap.
8 Tāpat arī draudzes kopējiem būs būt godīgiem, kam nav divējādas mēles, ne vīna plītniekiem, nedz negodīgas peļņas dzinējiem,
[Those whom you choose to serve as] deacons likewise [must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically], they must be (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must (be sincere/mean what they say). They must not like to drink a lot of alcohol. They must not (be greedy/have a strong desire to get money).
9 Kas ticības noslēpumu tur iekš šķīstas zināmas sirds.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Un šiem arīdzan būs papriekš tapt pārbaudītiem, pēc lai tie kalpo, ja tie ir bezvainīgi.
[Like you do for the elders], you must examine ([their character/how they conduct their lives]) [before you appoint them to serve]. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons.
11 Tāpat arī sievām būs būt godīgām, ne mēlnesēm, bet sātīgām, uzticīgām visās lietās.
Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise [must conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be] (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink a lot of alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do.
12 Draudzes kopējiem būs būt vienas sievas vīriem, kas savus bērnus un savu namu labi valda.
Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
13 Jo kas labi kalpojuši, tie pelnās labu pakāpi un daudz drošības iekš ticības, kas ir iekš Kristus Jēzus.
Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them, and they will be able [to speak] very boldly/confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
14 To es tev rakstu, cerēdams it drīz nākt pie tevis;
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 Bet ja es aizkavētos, lai tu zini, kā pienākas turēties Dieva namā, kas ir tā dzīvā Dieva draudze, tās patiesības pīlārs un pamats.
in order that if I (am delayed/things prevent me from visiting to you soon), you will know how believers should conduct their lives [and you will be able to teach that to them]. [I am talking about] all those who are members of God’s family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold/support [MET] the true [message].
16 Un teicami liels ir tas dievbijāšanas noslēpums: Dievs ir parādīts miesā, taisnots garā, skatīts no eņģeļiem, sludināts tautām, ticēts pasaulē, uzņemts godībā.
It is certainly true that [the message that God] has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say/sing about [Christ] (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live (in a godly manner/in a manner that pleases God). It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. [We] ([affirm/say that it is true]) concerning Jesus Christ that, He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body. God’s Spirit showed/demonstrated that he is/was truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously); Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations; People in many parts of the world believed the message about him. God took him up into heaven.
