| Holman Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1This saying is trustworthy: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work." | 1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” |
| 2An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, | 2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. |
| 3not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy-- | 3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. |
| 4one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. | 4He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. |
| 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?) | 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? |
| 6He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. | 6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. |
| 7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil's trap. | 7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. |
| 8Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, | 8In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. |
| 9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. | 9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. |
| 10And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. | 10Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. |
| 11Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. | 11In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. |
| 12Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. | 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. |
| 13For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. | 13Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. The Truths of Our Faith |
| 14I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. | 14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, |
| 15But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. | 15so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. |
| 16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. | 16Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith : Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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