^aIt is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the ^boffice of ¹overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 ^1aAn overseer, then, must be above reproach, ^bthe husband of one wife, ^2ctemperate, self-controlled, respectable, ^dhospitable, ^eskillful in teaching, 3 ^anot overindulging in wine, not ¹a bully, but gentle, not contentious, ^bfree from the love of money. 4 He must be one who ^amanages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of ^athe church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become ^aconceited and fall into ^bcondemnation ¹incurred by the devil. 7 And he must ^ahave a good reputation with ^bthose outside the church, so that he will not fall into ¹disgrace and ^cthe snare of the devil.

8 ^aDeacons likewise must be men of dignity, not ¹insincere, ^bnot prone to drink much wine, ^cnot greedy for money, 9 ^abut holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 ^aThese men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 ¹Women must likewise be dignified, ^anot malicious gossips, but ^2btemperate, faithful in all things. 12 ^aDeacons must be ^bhusbands of one wife, and ^1cgood managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons ^aobtain for themselves a ¹high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but ¹in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in ^athe household of God, which is the ^bchurch of ^cthe living God, the ^dpillar and support of the truth. 16 Beyond question, great is ^athe mystery of godliness:He who was ^brevealed in the flesh,Was ^1cvindicated ²in the Spirit,^dSeen by angels,^eProclaimed among the nations,^fBelieved on in the world,^gTaken up in glory.