 1 This is a true saying: If a man desires the office of bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, able to teach, 3 not given to wine, no striker, and not greedy of filthy gain+, but patient, not a brawler, and not covetous. 4 He must be one who governs+ his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity~. 5 For if a man does not know how to govern+ his own house, then how can he take care of the assembly+ of God? 6 He must not be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he may fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must have a good report from those who are outside+ of the faith, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise, deacons must be honest+, not double tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for filthy gain+. 9 They must hold the mystery~ of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 Also, let these candidates be proved, first. Then let them serve+ after being found blameless. 11 Even so their wives must also be honest+, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, governing+ their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served+ well in the office of a deacon acquire+ a good degree for themselves and much boldness in faith in Christ Jesus. 14 I write these things to you hoping to come to you soon+. 15 But if I am delayed+ then by this you will know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the assembly+ of the living God, the pillar and base+ of the truth. 16 We confess+ that the mystery~ of godliness is great indeed. God was revealed+ in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed+ to the Gentiles, believed in the world, and received up in glory. John 1:14
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