1Stedfast is the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;
2it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,
3not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,
4his 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?)
6not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;
7and 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.
8Ministrants — in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,
9having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,
10and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.
11Women — in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.
12Ministrants — let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,
13for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,
15and 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,
16and, 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!