1 Timothy 3:1–13

Overseers and Deacons

^1aIt is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the ^boffice of ¹overseer, he desires a good work.

^21aAn overseer, then, must be above reproach, ^bthe husband of one wife, ^ctemperate, sensible, respectable, ^dhospitable, ^eable to teach,

^3anot addicted to wine ¹or pugnacious, but considerate, peaceable, ^bfree from the love of money;

^4aleading his own household well, having his children in submission with all dignity

⁵(but if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of ^athe church of God?),

⁶and not a new convert, so that he will not become ^aconceited and fall into the ^bcondemnation of the devil.

⁷And he must ^ahave a good reputation with ^bthose outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and ^cthe snare of the devil.

^8aDeacons likewise must be dignified, not ¹double-tongued, ^bnot indulging in much wine, ^cnot fond of dishonest gain,

^9abut holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

^10aAnd these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

¹¹¹Women must likewise be dignified, ^anot malicious gossips, but ^btemperate, faithful in all things.

^12aDeacons must be ^bhusbands of only one wife, ^cleading their children and their own households well.

¹³For those who have served well as deacons ^aobtain for themselves a ¹high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.