1 Timothy 3 Parallel Bible Translations

1 Timothy 3 ▼
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1 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
2 Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical]. not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved] He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
5 (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?). for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
6 and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride]. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8 Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
9 but upholding and fully understanding the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity]. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must first be tested; then if they are found to be blameless and beyond reproach [in their Christian lives], let them serve as deacons. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.
13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a high standing [having a good reputation among the congregation], and great confidence in the faith which is [founded on and centered] in Christ Jesus. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14 I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,
15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. if I am delayed, 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.
16 And great, we confess, is the mystery [the hidden truth] of godliness: He (Jesus Christ) who was revealed in human flesh, Was justified and vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
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