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“If Someone Aspires to Be an Overseer”
1 Trustworthy+ is this saying: If someone aspires to be an overseer,+ it is+ a truly honorable work that he desires.
2 It is imperative, therefore, for an overseer to be above reproach,+ a man who is to his wife+ faithful,+ temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach;
3 not given to too much wine, not a bully, but gracious, peaceable, free from the love of money;
4 his own household leading well, his children obedient under his care and conducting themselves honorably in every respect+
5 (if someone doesn’t know how to lead his own household,+ how will he be able to give proper care and leadership to God’s assembly+?);
6 not a new believer,+ lest he become prideful and conceited+ and fall into the very+ condemnation incurred by the devil.+
7 He must have, too,+ a good reputation with outsiders, so that he doesn’t fall into disgrace,+ and a trap set by the devil.
8 Deacons,+ likewise, must be of honorable conduct, not two-faced, not given to too+ much wine, not money-hungry,+
9 adhering to+ the mystery of the faith with a clean+ conscience.
10 The character and reliability+ of these men, too, must be tested and proven first; only+ then are they to serve, if+ they have shown themselves to be blameless.+
11 Their wives,+ likewise, must be of honorable conduct, not slanderous, temperate, trustworthy+ in all respects.
12 Deacons must be men who are to their wives+ faithful,+ giving good and honorable leadership to their children and their own households.+
13 Those who serve honorably, you see, gain for themselves an honorable+ standing,+ and great courage+ as a result of+ the faith that is found+ in union with Messiah Jesus.
14 These instructions I am giving you by letter,+ although+ I do hope to visit you soon,
15 so that, in case I am delayed,+ you will know how someone is to conduct himself in God’s household,+ which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
16 Great, indeed,+ as we all acknowledge and profess, is the mystery of the faith+:
Who appeared as a real man with a mortal nature,+
was vindicated+ clothed in the glory of the Spirit,+
was announced among the Gentiles,+
was trusted+ in the world,
was taken up in glory.