NET Bible | New International Version |
1This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." | 1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. |
2The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, | 2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, |
3not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. | 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. |
4He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. | 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. |
5But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? | 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) |
6He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. | 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. |
7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap. | 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. |
8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, | 8In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. |
9holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. | 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. |
10And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. | 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. |
11Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. | 11In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. |
12Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. | 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. |
13For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. | 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. |
14I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you | 14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, |
15in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth. | 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. |
16And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. | 16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. |
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