1 Timothy 3:1-13 ▼

1 This is a faithful saying: Yf a man desire ye office of a bishop, he desireth a good worke.

2 A bishop therfore must be blamelesse, the husband of one wyfe, watchyng, sober, comely apparelled, a louer of hospitalitie, apt to teache,

3 Not geuen to ouermuch wine, no striker, not greedy of fylthy lucre: but gentle, abhorryng fyghtyng, abhorryng couetousnesse:

4 One that ruleth well his owne house, hauyng chyldren in subiection, with all grauitie.

5 For yf a man knowe not to rule his owne house, howe shall he care for the Churche of God?

6 Not a young scoler, lest he, beyng puffed vp, fall into the condempnation of the deuyll.

7 He must also haue a good report of the which are without, lest he fall into the rebuke and snare of the deuyll.

8 Likewise must ye ministers be graue, not double tongued, not geuen to much wine, neither greedy of fylthy lucre:

9 Holdyng the misterie of the fayth in a pure conscience.

10 And let them first be proued, then let them minister, beyng blamelesse.

11 Euen so must their wyues be graue, not euyll speakers, sober, faythfull in all thynges.

12 Let the deacons be the husbandes of one wife, and such as can rule their children well, and their owne housholdes.

13 For they that haue ministred well, get them selues a good degree, and great libertie in the fayth whiche is in Christe Iesus.