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[1]This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a worthy work.
[2]A Bishop therefore must be unreprovable, the husband of one wife, watching, sober, modest, harborous, apt to teach,
[3]Not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, no fighter, not covetous,
[4]One that can rule his own house honestly, having children under obedience with all honesty.
[5]For if any cannot rule his own house, how shall he care for the Church of God?
[6]He may not be a young scholar, lest he being puffed up fall into the condemnation of the devil.
[7]He must also be well reported of, even of them which are without, lest he fall into rebuke, and the snare of the devil.
[8]Likewise must Deacons be honest, not double-tongued, not given unto much wine, neither to filthy lucre,
[9]Having the mystery of the faith in pure conscience.
[10]And let them first be proved: then let them minister, if they be found blameless.
[11]Likewise their wives must be honest, not evil speakers, but sober, and faithful in all things.
[12]Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as can rule their children well, and their own households.
[13]For they that have ministered well, get themselves a good degree, and great liberty in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
[14]These things write I unto thee, trusting to come very shortly unto thee.
[15]But if I tarry long, that thou mayest yet know, how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth.
[16]And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
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