1 Тимофію 3
1 Вірне це слово: коли хто єпи́скопства хоче, — доброго діла він пра́гне.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 А єпи́скоп має бути бездога́нний, муж однієї дружи́ни, тверезий, невинний, че́сний, гостинний до при́ходнів, здібний навчати,
[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 не п'яни́ця, не заводія́ка, але тихий, несварли́вий, не сріблолюбець,
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 щоб добре ряди́в власним домом, що має дітей у слухня́ності з повною чесністю, —
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 бо хто власним домом ряди́ти не вміє, я́к він зможе пильнува́ти про Божу Церкву? —
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 не новонаве́рнений, щоб він не запишався, і не впав у ворожий о́суд.
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 Треба, щоб мав він і добре засві́дчення від чужи́нців, щоб не впасти в догану та в сітку диявольську.
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 Так само диякони́ мають бути поважні, не двомовці, не багато відда́ні вину, не соромнозахла́нні,
[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 такі, що мають таємни́цю віри при чистім сумлінні.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Отже, і вони нехай перш випробо́вуються, а потому хай служать, якщо бу́дуть бездога́нні.
[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 Так само жінки́ нехай будуть поважні, не обмовли́ві, тверезі та вірні в усьому.
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 Диякони́ мусять бути мужі однієї дружи́ни, що добре рядя́ть дітьми́ й своїми домами.
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 Бо хто добре виконує службу, той до́брий ступі́нь набуває собі та велику відвагу в вірі через Христа Ісуса.
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 Це пишу́ я тобі, і сподіваюсь до тебе прийти незаба́ром.
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 А коли я спізнюся, то щоб знав ти, як треба пово́дитися в Божому домі, що ним є Церква Бога Живого, стовп і підвалина пра́вди.
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 Безсумнівно, велика це таємни́ця благоче́стя: Хто в тілі з'яви́вся, Той оправданий Духом, а́нгола́м показався, проповіданий був між наро́дами, увірувано в Нього в світі, Він у славі вознісся!
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.
