1 S tedfast the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;

2 i t behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,

3 n ot given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

4 h is own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,

5 ( and if any one his own house to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)

6 n ot a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;

7 a nd it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.

8 M inistrants -- in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,

9 h aving the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,

10 a nd let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.

11 W omen -- in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.

12 M inistrants -- let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,

13 f or those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that in Christ Jesus.

14 T hese things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,

15 a nd if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God -- a pillar and foundation of the truth,

16 a nd, confessedly, great is the secret of piety -- God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!