1 Stedfast is the word: If any one the oversight does long for, a right work he desires;2 it benefits, 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 has 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 benefits him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.8 Ministers -- 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 Ministers -- 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 you, hoping to come unto you soon,15 and if I delay, that you may know how it benefits you to conduct yourself 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!