[1] The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he
desires a noble task. [2] Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband
of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher,
[3] no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of
money. [4] He must manage his own household well, keeping his children
submissive and respectful in every way; [5] for if a man does not know how
to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church? [6] He must
not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into
the condemnation of the devil; [7] moreover he must be well thought of by
outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. [8]
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much
wine, not greedy for gain; [9] they must hold the mystery of the faith with
a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then if they
prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons. [11] The women
likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all
things. [12] Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage
their children and their households well; [13] for those who serve well as
deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in
the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [14] I hope to come to you soon, but I
am writing these instructions to you so that, [15] if I am delayed, you may
know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. [16] Great indeed,
we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the
flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the
nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
