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

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; of good…: or, modest

3 Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; given…: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine

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

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

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. a novice: or, one newly come to the faith

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them who are outside the church; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money;

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

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

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

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

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. used…: or, ministered

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

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. ground: or, stay

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.