1 I t is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work.

Вярно е това слово: Ако се ревне някому епископство, добро дело желае.

2 A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willing to take people into his home. He must be willing to learn and able to teach the Word of God.

Прочее, епископът трябва да бъде непорочен, мъж на една жена, самообладан, разбран, порядъчен, честолюбив, способен да поучава,

3 H e must not get drunk or want to fight. Instead, he must be gentle. He must not have a love for money.

не навикнал на пияни разправии, не побойник, а кротък, не крамолник, не сребролюбец;

4 H e should be a good leader in his own home. His children must obey and respect him.

който управлява добре своя си дом и държи чадата си в послушание с пълна сериозност;

5 I f a man cannot be a good leader in his own home, how can he lead the church?

(защото човек ако не знае да управлява своя си дом, как ще се грижи за Божията църква?)

6 A church leader must not be a new Christian. A new Christian might become proud and fall into sin which is brought on by the devil.

да не е нов във вярата, за да се не възгордее и падне под същото осъждане с дявола.

7 A church leader must be respected by people who are not Christians so nothing can be said against him. In that way, he will not be trapped by the devil. What the Church Helpers Must Be Like

При това, той трябва да се ползува с добри отзиви и от външните, за да не падне в укор и в примката на дявола.

8 C hurch helpers must also be good men and act so people will respect them. They must speak the truth. They must not get drunk. They must not have a love for money.

Така и дяконите трябва да бъдат сериозни, не двоезични, да не обичат много вино, да не бъдат лакоми за гнусна печалба,

9 T hey must have their faith in Christ and be His follower with a heart that says they are right.

да държат с чиста съвест тайната на вярата.

10 T hey must first be tested to see if they are ready for the work as church helpers. Then if they do well, they may be chosen as church helpers.

Също и те първо да се изпитват и после да стават дякони, ако са непорочни.

11 T he wives of church helpers must be careful how they act. They must not carry stories from one person to another. They must be wise and faithful in all they do.

Тъй и жените им ( Или: дякониците) трябва да бъдат сериозни, не клеветници, самообладани, вярни във всичко.

12 C hurch helpers must have only one wife. They must lead their home well and their children must obey them.

Дяконите да бъдат мъже всеки на една жена, да управляват добре чадата си и домовете си.

13 T hose who work well as church helpers will be respected by others and their own faith in Christ Jesus will grow. Why Paul Writes to Timothy

Защото, тия които са служили добре като дякони, придобиват за себе си добро положение и голямо дръзновение във вярата на Христа Исуса.

14 I hope to come to you soon. I am writing these things

Надявам се скоро да дойда при тебе; но това ти пиша,

15 b ecause it may be awhile before I get there. I wanted you to know how you should act among people in the church which is the house of the living God. The church holds up the truth.

в случай, че закъснея, за да знаеш, как трябва да се обхождат хората в Божия дом, който е църква на живия Бог, стълб и подпорка на истината.

16 I t is important to know the secret of God-like living, which is: Christ came to earth as a Man. He was pure in His Spirit. He was seen by angels. The nations heard about Him. Men everywhere put their trust in Him. He was taken up into heaven.

И без противоречие, велика е тайната на благочестието: