1 Timoty 3
1 Mahatoky izao teny izao: Raha misy olona maniry ny asan’ ny mpitandrina, dia maniry asa tsara izy.
The word [is] steadfast: If anyone longs for overseership, he desires a right work;
2 Koa ny mpitandrina dia tsy maintsy ho tsy manan-tsiny, manam-bady tokana, mahonon-tena, hendry, tia filaminana, mampiantrano vahiny, mahay mampianatra,
it is required, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, a husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, respectable, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
3 tsy mpimamo lian’ ady, tsy mpikapoka, fa mandefitra, tsy mpila ady, tsy mpitia vola,
not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
4 manapaka tsara ny ankohonany, mampanaiky ny zanany amin’ ny fahamaotinana tsara
leading his own house well, having children in subjection with all dignity,
5 (fa raha misy olona tsy mahay mitondra ny ankohonany, hataony ahoana no fitandrina ny fiangonan’ Andriamanitra?),
(and if anyone has not known [how] to lead his own house, how will he take care of an assembly of God?)
6 tsy izay zazavao amin’ ny fivavahana, fandrao hieboebo foana izy ka ho latsaka amin’ ny fahamelohan’ ny devoly.
not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the Devil;
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 it is required of him also to have a good testimony from those outside, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.
8 Ny diakona koa toy izany ihany, ho maotona, tsy miroa teny, tsy tia divay be, tsy tia harena maloto,
Servants, in like manner, dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to shameful gain,
9 mitandrina tsara ny zava-miafina ny amin’ ny finoana amin’ ny fieritreretana madio.
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
10 Ary aoka hizahan-toetra ireo aloha, dia vao hanao ny asan’ ny diakona izy, raha tsy manan-tsiny.
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
11 Ny vehivavy koa ho toy izany ihany: maotona, tsy mpanendrikendrika, mahonon-tena, mahatoky amin’ ny zavatra rehetra.
Women, in like manner, dignified, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
12 Aoka ny diakona samy hanam-bady tokana sady hanapaka tsara ny zanany sy ny ankohonany.
Servants—let them be husbands of one wife, leading the children well, and their own houses,
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 ministered well acquire a good step to themselves, and much boldness in faith that [is] in Christ Jesus.
14 Izany zavatra izany dia soratako aminao, na dia manantena hankatỳ aminao faingana aza aho;
I write to you these things, hoping to come to you soon,
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.
and if I delay, that you may know how it is required to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God—a pillar and foundation of the truth,
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 confessedly, great is the secret of piety: who was revealed in flesh, declared righteous in [the] Spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!
