NETfree - I Timothy - 3

3:1  This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work."

3:2  The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

3:3  not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

3:4  He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.

3:5  But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

3:6  He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.

3:7  And 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.

3:8  Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,

3:9  holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

3:10  And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

3:11  Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.

3:12  Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.

3:13  For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

3:14  I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you

3:15  in 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.

3:16  And 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.