| New Living Translation | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” | 1It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. |
| 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. | 2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, |
| 3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. | 3not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. |
| 4He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. | 4He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity |
| 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? | 5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), |
| 6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. | 6and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. |
| 7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. | 7And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. |
| 8In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. | 8Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, |
| 9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. | 9but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. |
| 10Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. | 10These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. |
| 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. | 11Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. |
| 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. | 12Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. |
| 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 | 13For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. |
| 14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, | 14I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; |
| 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. | 15but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. |
| 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. | 16By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. |
| 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. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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