1 I t is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

¶ The Word is faithful, If anyone desires the office of a bishop, he desires a difficult ministry.

2 A n overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

It is expedient, therefore, that the bishop be blameless, the husband of only one wife, vigilant, temperate, of worldly affections mortified, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 n ot addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

4 H e must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all integrity;

5 ( but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the congregation of God?)

6 a nd not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

not a novice, lest being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil.

7 A nd he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of those who are outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 D eacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

¶ Likewise the deacons must be honest, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain;

9 b ut holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

holding the mystery of the faith together with a pure conscience.

10 T hese men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

And let these also first be proved; then let them minister, if they are blameless.

11 W omen must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

The wives likewise are to be honest, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

12 D eacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

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

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

For those that minister well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;

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

15 b ut in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

But if I tarry long, that thou may know how it is expedient to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.

16 B y common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

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.