Epistula I ad Timotheum, 3
1. Fidelis sermo: si quis episco patum appetit, bonum opus de siderat.
1. The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task.
2. Oportet ergo episcopum irreprehensibilem esse, unius uxoris virum, sobrium, prudentem, ornatum, hospitalem, doctorem,
2. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher,
3. non vinolentum, non percussorem sed modestum, non litigiosum, non cupidum,
3. no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.
4. suae domui bene praepositum, filios habentem in subiectione cum omni castitate
4. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way;
5. — si quis autem domui suae praeesse nescit, quomodo ecclesiae Dei curam habebit? C,
5. for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?
6. non neophytum, ne in superbia elatus in iudicium incidat Diaboli.
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. Oportet autem illum et testimonium habere bonum ab his, qui foris sunt, ut non in opprobrium incidat et laqueum Diaboli.
7. moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8. Diaconos similiter pudicos, non bilingues, non multo vino deditos, non turpe lucrum sectantes,
8. Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain;
9. habentes mysterium fidei in conscientia pura.
9. they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10. Et hi autem probentur primum, deinde ministrent nullum crimen habentes.
10. And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons.
11. Mulieres similiter pudicas, non detrahentes, sobrias, fideles in omnibus.
11. The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.
12. Diaconi sint unius uxoris viri, qui filiis suis bene praesint et suis domibus;
12. Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well;
13. qui enim bene ministraverint, gradum sibi bonum acquirent et multam fiduciam in fide, quae est in Christo Iesu.
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. Haec tibi scribo sperans venire ad te cito;
14. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that,
15. si autem tardavero, ut scias quomodo oporteat in domo Dei conversari, quae est ecclesia Dei vivi, columna et firmamentum veritatis.
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. Et omnium confessione magnum est pietatis mysterium: Qui manifestatus est in carne, iustificatus est in Spiritu, apparuit angelis, praedicatus est in gentibus, creditus est in mumdo, assumptus est in gloria.
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.
