1This is a trustworthy statement: If someone wants to be a church leader, they desire a good work.
2Therefore, an overseer must be blameless, faithful to his wife, sober, sensible, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach.
3He must not be a heavy drinker or violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not greedy for money.
4He must manage his own household well, having his children under control with all respect.
5(For if a man doesn’t know how to manage his own house, how will he take care of God’s church?)
6He must not be a new convert, so that he won’t become conceited and fall into the same judgment as the devil.
7Also, he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he won't fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8In the same way, deacons must be respectable, trustworthy in what they say, not addicted to much wine, and not greedy for money.
9They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
10First, they should be tested; then, if they are blameless, they may serve as deacons.
11Similarly, their wives must be respectable, not gossips, sober, and faithful in everything.
12Deacons must be faithful to their wives, managing their children and their own households well.
13For those who have served well gain a good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon.
15But if I am delayed, I want you to know how people ought to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16Without question, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in human form, proven to be righteous by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed in throughout the world, and taken up into glory.