1 Timoty 3
1 Mahatoky izao teny izao: Raha misy olona maniry ny asan’ ny mpitandrina, dia maniry asa tsara izy.
This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.
2 Koa ny mpitandrina dia tsy maintsy ho tsy manan-tsiny, manam-bady tokana, mahonon-tena, hendry, tia filaminana, mampiantrano vahiny, mahay mampianatra,
The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;
3 tsy mpimamo lian’ ady, tsy mpikapoka, fa mandefitra, tsy mpila ady, tsy mpitia vola,
Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;
4 manapaka tsara ny ankohonany, mampanaiky ny zanany amin’ ny fahamaotinana tsara
Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour;
5 (fa raha misy olona tsy mahay mitondra ny ankohonany, hataony ahoana no fitandrina ny fiangonan’ Andriamanitra?),
(For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)
6 tsy izay zazavao amin’ ny fivavahana, fandrao hieboebo foana izy ka ho latsaka amin’ ny fahamelohan’ ny devoly.
Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.
7 Ary tsy maintsy ho tsara laza koa amin’ izay eny ivelany izy, fandrao ho lavo amin’ ny fananan-tsiny sy ny fandriky ny devoly.
And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.
8 Ny diakona koa toy izany ihany, ho maotona, tsy miroa teny, tsy tia divay be, tsy tia harena maloto,
Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;
9 mitandrina tsara ny zava-miafina ny amin’ ny finoana amin’ ny fieritreretana madio.
Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.
10 Ary aoka hizahan-toetra ireo aloha, dia vao hanao ny asan’ ny diakona izy, raha tsy manan-tsiny.
And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.
11 Ny vehivavy koa ho toy izany ihany: maotona, tsy mpanendrikendrika, mahonon-tena, mahatoky amin’ ny zavatra rehetra.
Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.
12 Aoka ny diakona samy hanam-bady tokana sady hanapaka tsara ny zanany sy ny ankohonany.
Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well.
13 Fa izay efa mahavatra tsara ny asan’ ny diakona dia mahazo toerana tsara ho an’ ny tenany sy fahasahiana be amin’ ny finoana izay ao amin’ i Kristy Jesosy.
For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 Izany zavatra izany dia soratako aminao, na dia manantena hankatỳ aminao faingana aza aho;
I am writing these things to you, though I am hoping to come to you before long;
15 fa raha tratra ela aho, dia ny hahafantaranao izay fitondran-tena mety hatao ao an-tranon’ Andriamanitra, dia ny fiangonan’ Andriamanitra velona, sady andry sy fiorenan’ ny fahamarinana.
But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.
16 Ary iaraha-manaiky mihitsy fa lehibe ny zava-miafina ny amin’ ny toe-panahy araka an’ Andriamanitra, dia Ilay naseho teo amin’ ny nofo, nohamarinina tao amin’ ny Fanahy; hitan’ ny anjely, notorina tany amin’ ny jentilisa, ninoana teny amin’ izao tontolo izao, nakarina tamin’ ny voninahitra.
And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.
