1This is a true saying: if a man wants the office of a bishop, he wants a good work.
2So a bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, watchful, sober, well behaved, glad to welcome guests, able to teach.
3He must not drink too much wine, and not be a man who hits others, and not greedy for dishonest money. He must be patient, not a fighter, not greedy for what belongs to others.
4He must lead his own house well, and his children must obey him with all seriousness.
5(For if a man does not know how to lead his own house, how will he care for the church of God?)
6He must not be a new believer, or he may be puffed up with pride and fall into the same judgment as the devil.
7He must also have a good name with those outside the church, so that he does not fall into shame and into the devil's trap.
8In the same way the deacons must be serious, not saying one thing and then another, not drinking much wine, not greedy for dishonest money.
9They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clean conscience.
10Let these men also be tested first. Then, if they are found blameless, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way their wives must be serious, not spreading evil talk, sober, faithful in everything.
12Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, leading their children and their own houses well.
13For those who have served well as deacons gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon.
15But if I am delayed a long time, you will know how you ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16And without question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was shown in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.