1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. |
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; |
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; |
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; |
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) |
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. |
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. |
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; |
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. |
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. |
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. |
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. |
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. |
