‏ 1 Timothy 3

Overseers and Deacons

1 aIt is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the boffice of
Or bishop
overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2
Lit The
eAn overseer, then, must be above reproach, fthe husband of one wife,
Or level-headed
htemperate, self-controlled, respectable, ihospitable, jskillful in teaching,
3 knot overindulging in wine, not
Or combative
a bully, but gentle, not contentious, mfree from the love of money.
4He must be one who nmanages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of othe church of God?), 6and not a new convert, so that he will not become pconceited and fall into qcondemnation
Lit of the devil
incurred by the devil.
7And he must shave a good reputation with tthose outside the church, so that he will not fall into
Or reproach
disgrace and vthe snare of the devil.

8 wDeacons likewise must be men of dignity, not
Or given to double-talk
insincere, ynot prone to drink much wine, znot greedy for money,
9 aabut holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 abThese men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11
I.e., either deacons’ wives or deaconesses
Women must likewise be dignified, adnot malicious gossips, but
Or level-headed
aftemperate, faithful in all things.
12 agDeacons must be ahhusbands of one wife, and
Lit managing well
ajgood managers of their children and their own households.
13For those who have served well as deacons akobtain for themselves a
Lit good
high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15but
Lit if I delay
in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in anthe household of God, which is the aochurch of apthe living God, the aqpillar and support of the truth.
16Beyond question, great is arthe mystery of godliness:
He who was asrevealed in the flesh,
Was
Or justified
auvindicated
Or by
in the Spirit,
awSeen by angels,
axProclaimed among the nations,
ayBelieved on in the world,
azTaken up in glory.
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