| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1This saying is trustworthy: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work." | 1This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” |
| 2An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, | 2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. |
| 3not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. | 3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. |
| 4He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. | 4He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. |
| 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?) | 5For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? |
| 6He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. | 6A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. |
| 7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil's trap. | 7Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. |
| 8Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, | 8In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. |
| 9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. | 9They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. |
| 10They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. | 10Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. |
| 11Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. | 11In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. |
| 12Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. | 12A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. |
| 13For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. | 13Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. The Truths of Our Faith |
| 14I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. | 14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, |
| 15But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. | 15so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. |
| 16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. | 16Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith : Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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