| Chapter 3 |
1 |
Stedfast is the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth; |
2 |
it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach, |
3 |
not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money, |
4 |
his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity, |
5 |
(and if any one his own house how to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?) |
6 |
not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil; |
7 |
and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil. |
8 |
Ministrants -- in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre, |
9 |
having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience, |
10 |
and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable. |
11 |
Women -- in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things. |
12 |
Ministrants -- let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses, |
13 |
for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that is in Christ Jesus. |
14 |
These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon, |
15 |
and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth thee to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God -- a pillar and foundation of the truth, |
16 |
and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety -- God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory! |