| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1This is a trustworthy saying: The one who would an elder be, a noble task desires he. | 1This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." |
| 2Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable. | 2The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, 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 a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. |
| 4He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way. | 4He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. |
| 5For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? | 5But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? |
| 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 recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. |
| 7He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn't fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by the devil. | 7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap. |
| 8Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money. | 8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, |
| 9They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences. | 9holding to 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 these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. |
| 11Their wives must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything. | 11Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. |
| 12Ministers must be husbands of one wife and must manage their children and their families well. | 12Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. |
| 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 gain 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 hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you |
| 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. | 15in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark 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 we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. |
|
