1 Timothy 3

1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.

2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not dependent on wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

4 An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.

7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

9 They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.

12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things

15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: God appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

1 ¶ This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 ¶ Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.

11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 ¶ These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 This is certainly true, that if any man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a goodly work.

2 But let a bishop be blameless, a wife's husband, sober, temperate, sedentary, hospitable, doctrinal,

3 not a winebibber, not a throbber, not a dishonest handler, but mild, not vindictive, not stingy,

4 Who hath well presided over his own house, who hath obedient children with all respectability.

5 (But if a man know not to preside over his own house, how shall he provide for the church of God?),

6 Not a neophyte, lest he puff himself up, and fall into the judgment of the blasphemer.

7 But he must also have a good report of them that are without, lest he fall into the blasphemers' shame and snare.

8 Likewise the servants shall be honourable, not double-minded, not winebibbers, not dealing dishonestly.

9 Who have the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. 10: And let them be tried first, and then let them serve, if they be blameless.

11 Likewise their wives shall be honourable, not blasphemous, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let every man's servants be the husband of one wife, and let them take heed to their children, and to their own houses.

13 But they that serve well obtain for themselves a good degree, and great joy in the faith which is in Christ JESUS.

14 These things write I unto thee, and hope to come unto thee most surely.

15 But if I delay, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to walk in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 And great is the mystery of God: God is manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, made manifest to angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on by the world, received up into glory.