1This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." | 1This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." |
2The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, | 2The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, |
3not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. | 3not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. |
4He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. | 4He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. |
5But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? | 5But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? |
6He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. | 6He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. |
7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap. | 7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap. |
8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, | 8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, |
9holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. | 9holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. |
10And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. | 10And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. |
11Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. | 11Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. |
12Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. | 12Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. |
13For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. | 13For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. |
14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you | 14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you |
15in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. | 15in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. |
16And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. | 16And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. |
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