| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1This is a trustworthy saying: The one who would an elder be, a noble task desires he. | 1This saying is trustworthy: "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work." |
| 2Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable. | 2An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, |
| 3He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money. | 3not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy-- |
| 4He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way. | 4one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. |
| 5For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? | 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?) |
| 6He must not be a recent convert, so that he won't become arrogant and fall into the devil's condemnation. | 6He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. |
| 7He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn't fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by the devil. | 7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil's trap. |
| 8Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money. | 8Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, |
| 9They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences. | 9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. |
| 10But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, they may become ministers. | 10And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. |
| 11Their wives must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything. | 11Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. |
| 12Ministers must be husbands of one wife and must manage their children and their families well. | 12Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. |
| 13Those ministers who serve well gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance by their faith in the Messiah Jesus. | 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. |
| 14I hope to come to you soon. However, I'm writing this to you | 14I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. |
| 15in case I am delayed, so that you may know how to behave in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. | 15But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. |
| 16By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great: In flesh was he revealed to sight, kept righteous by the Spirit's might, adored by angels singing. To nations was he manifest, believing souls found peace and rest, our Lord in heaven reigning! | 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. |
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