1 Timothy 3

1Stedfast <FI>is<Fi> the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;

1A faithful saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth good work.

2it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,

2It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher,

3not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

3Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but

4his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity.

5(and if any one his own house <FI>how<Fi> to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)

5But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

6not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;

6Not a neophyte: lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall into the 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.

7Moreover, he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8Ministrants--in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,

8Deacons in like manner: chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:

9having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,

9Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

10and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.

10And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime.

11Women--in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.

11The women in like manner: chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things.

12Ministrants--let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,

12Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children and their own houses.

13for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that <FI>is<Fi> in Christ Jesus.

13For they that have ministered well shall purchase to themselves a good degree and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,

14These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly.

15and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth <FI>thee<Fi> to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God--a pillar and foundation of the truth,

15But 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.

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!

16And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.