1 T he saying is true and irrefutable: If any man seeks the office of bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work).

Es palabra fiel: Si alguno anhela obispado, buena obra desea.

2 N ow a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; hospitable a capable and qualified teacher,

Es, pues, necesario que el obispo sea irreprensible, marido de una sola mujer, sobrio, prudente, ordenado, hospedador, apto para enseñar;

3 N ot given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money.

no dado al vino, no pendenciero, no codicioso de ganancias deshonestas, sino amable, apacible, no avaro;

4 H e must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful.

que gobierne bien su casa, que tenga a sus hijos en sumisión con toda dignidad

5 F or if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?

(pues el que no sabe gobernar su propia casa, ¿cómo cuidará de la iglesia de Dios?);

6 H e must not be a new convert, or he may as the result of pride fall into the condemnation that the devil did.

no un neófito, no sea que envaneciéndose caiga en la condenación del diablo.

7 F urthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside, lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap.

Y debe tener buen testimonio de los de afuera, para que no caiga en descrédito y en lazo del diablo. Requisitos de los diáconos

8 I n like manner the deacons worthy of respect, not shifty and double-talkers but sincere in what they say, not given to much wine, not greedy for base gain.

Los diáconos asimismo deben ser personas respetables, sin doblez de palabra, no dados a mucho vino, no codiciosos de ganancias deshonestas;

9 T hey must possess the mystic secret of the faith with a clear conscience.

que guarden el misterio de la fe con limpia conciencia.

10 A nd let them also be tried and investigated and proved first; then, if they turn out to be above reproach, let them serve.

Y éstos también sean sometidos a prueba primero, y entonces ejerzan el diaconado, si son irreprensibles.

11 w omen likewise must be worthy of respect and serious, not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled, trustworthy in all things.

Las mujeres asimismo sean dignas, no calumniadoras, sino sobrias, fieles en todo.

12 L et deacons be the husbands of but one wife, and let them manage children and their own households well.

Los diáconos sean maridos de una sola mujer, y que gobiernen bien sus hijos y sus casas.

13 F or those who perform well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and also gain much confidence and freedom and boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Porque los que han ejercido bien el diaconado, obtienen para sí una posición honrosa, y mucha confianza en la fe que es en Cristo Jesús. El misterio de la piedad

14 A lthough I hope to come to you before long, I am writing these instructions to you so that,

Esto te escribo, aunque tengo la esperanza de ir pronto a verte,

15 I f I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth.

para que si tardo, sepas cómo debes conducirte en la casa de Dios, que es la iglesia del Dios viviente, columna y baluarte de la verdad.

16 A nd great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He '> God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

E indiscutiblemente, grande es el misterio de la piedad: Dios fue manifestado en carne, Justificado en el Espíritu, Visto de los ángeles, Predicado a los gentiles, Creído en el mundo, Recibido arriba en gloria.