1 Timothy 3Book 54 of 66 · 16 verses · MBT primary, NKJV fallback where MBT pending

1. This saying is faithful: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2. An overseer, then, must be above reproach — the husband of one wife, sober-minded, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3. not addicted to wine, not violent — but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money;
4. managing his own household well — keeping his children under control with all dignity
5. (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?);
6. and not a new convert — so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church — so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity — not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine, or fond of dishonest gain;
9. but holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10. And these too should first be tested — then let them serve as deacons, if they are beyond reproach.
11. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but sober-minded — faithful in all things.
12. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife — managing their children and their own households well.
13. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high 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 in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God — which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
16. And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.