1 This is a true saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy of dishonest gain; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all respect;
5 (For if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them who are outside; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be tested; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be serious, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto you, hoping to come unto you shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without doubt great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.