1
This is a truesaying, If a mandesire the office of a bishop, he desireth a goodwork.
2
A bishopthenmustbeblameless, the husband of onewife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3Not given to wine, nostriker, not greedy of filthy lucre; butpatient, not a brawler, notcovetous;
4
One that rulethwell his ownhouse, having his childreninsubjectionwithallgravity;
5
(For if a manknownothow to rule his ownhouse, how shall he take care of the churchofGod?)
6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fallinto the condemnation of the devil.
7Moreoverhemusthave a goodreportof them which are without; lesthefallintoreproachand the snareof the devil.
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, notdoubletongued, notgiven to muchwine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9Holding the mystery of the faithin a pureconscience.
10Andletthesealsofirst be proved; thenlet them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11
Even so must their wives be grave, notslanderers, sober, faithfulin all things.
12Let the deaconsbe the husbands of onewife, ruling their childrenand their ownhouseswell.
13For they that have used the office of a deaconwellpurchase to themselves a gooddegree, andgreatboldnessin the faithwhich is inChristJesus.
14
These things write Iuntothee, hoping to comeuntotheeshortly:
15Butif I tarry long, that thou mayest knowhow thou oughtest to behave thyselfin the house of God, whichis the church of the livingGod, the pillarandground of the truth.
16And without controversygreatis the mystery of godliness: God was manifestin the flesh, justifiedin the Spirit, seen of angels, preachedunto the Gentiles, believed onin the world, received upintoglory.