1 Timothy, 3

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

1. If someone aspires to the over seer's ministry, he is without a doubt looking for a noble task.

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

2. It is necessary that the overseer (or bishop) be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, responsible, judicious, of good manners, hospitable and skillful in teaching.

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

3. He must not be addicted to wine or quarrelsome, but gentle and peaceful, and not a lover of money,

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

4. but a man whose household is well-managed, with obedient and well-mannered children.

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

5. If he cannot govern his own house, how can he lead the assembly of God?

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

6. He must not be a recent convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the same condemnation as 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.

7. Moreover he must enjoy a good reputation among the outsiders, lest people speak evil about him and he fall into the snare of the devil.

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

8. Deacons, likewise, must be serious and sincere and moderate in drinking wine, not greedy for money,

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

9. they must keep the mystery of faith with a clear conscience.

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

10. Let them be first tried and, if found blameless, be accepted as deacons.

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

11. In the same way the women must be conscientious, not given to gossip, but reserved and trustworthy.

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

12. A deacon must be husband of one wife, and must know how to guide his children and manage his household.

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.

13. Those who serve well as deacons will win honorable rank, with authority to speak of Christian faith.

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

14. I give you these instructions, although I hope I will see you soon.

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.

15. If I delay, you will know how you ought to conduct yourself in the household of God, that is, the Church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation 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.

16. How great indeed is the mystery of divine blessing! He was shown in the flesh and sanctified by the Spirit; presented to the angels and proclaimed to all nations. The world believed in him: He was taken up in glory!