1 THE saying is trustworthy: "If any one aspires to the office of a bishop, he desires a noble work."

2 A bishop, then, should be above reproach, true to one woman, temperate, self-controlled, dignified, hospitable, with a gift for teaching,

3 not given to wine or to blows, but fair-minded, averse to strife, not a lover of money,

4 presiding well over his own house, with children obedient and respectful.

5 But if any one does not know how to preside over his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

6 He must not be a new convert, for fear he may be blinded by pride and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.

7 He must have a good reputation with outsiders so as not to fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.

8 Deacons, in the same way, must be dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not eager for base gain,

9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

10 They must first be tested, and then let them fill the office of deacon if there is nothing against them.

11 Women, in the same way, must be dignified, not slanderers, temperate, trustworthy in everything.

12 Deacons must be men true to one woman, presiding well over their children and their own houses.

13 Those who have filled the office of deacon well win for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, although I hope to come to you soon,

15 but so that if I am delayed you may know how people should conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.

16 Confessedly great is the mystery of godliness: "Who was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory."