3:1 This [is] a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work.
3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to
teach;
3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre,
but patient; not a brawler, not covetous;
3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity;
3:5 (For if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how
shall he take care of the church of God?)
3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into
the condemnation of the devil.
3:7 Moreover, he must have a good report of them who are
without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
3:8 Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not double-tongued,
not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre,
3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the
office of a deacon, being [found] blameless.
3:11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers,
sober, faithful in all things.
3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their
children, and their own houses well.
3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well,
purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the
faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
3:14 These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee
shortly:
3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest 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 the truth.
3:16 And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by
angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
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