1 Timothy

3 If anyone for oversight is eager A noble work doth he covet:—

2 It is needful then for the overseer to be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, sober of sound mind, orderly, hospitable, apt in teaching,

3 Not given to wine, not ready to wound, But considerate, averse to contention, not fond of money,

4 Over his own house presiding well, Having children in submission with all dignity;

5 Whereas if anyone over his own house cannot preside How of an assembly of God shall he take care?

6 Not a new convert, Lest being beclouded into the sentence of the adversary he fall;

7 It is needful moreover to have an honourable testimony also from them who are without, Lest into reproach he fall and the snare of the adversary.

8 Ministers in the same way—Dignified, not double-tongued, not to much wine given, not greedy of base gain,

9 Holding the sacred secret of the faith in a pure conscience;

10 But let these also be proved first, Then let them be ministering being unaccusable:

11 Wives in the same way—Dignified, not given to intrigue, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let ministers be husbands of one wife, Over children presiding well and over their own houses;

13 For they who have ministered well a good degree for themselves are acquiring, and great freedom of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things unto thee I am writing, Hoping to come [unto thee] shortly,—

15 But if I should tarry That thou mayest know—How it behoveth in a house of God to behave oneself,—The which is an assembly of a Living God, A pillar and basement of the truth;—

16 And confessedly great is the sacred secret of godliness,—Who was made manifest in flesh, Was declared righteous in spirit, Was made visible unto messengers, Was proclaimed among nations, Was believed on in [the] world, Was taken up in glory.