1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer {episkope: congregational oversight}, he desires a good work {ergon: purposeful service}.
2 Therefore, it is necessary for the overseer {episkopos: oversight leader} to be blameless, a husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach {didaktikos: skilled instructor}.
3 Not addicted to wine {paroinos: given to drinking}, not violent but gentle, peaceable {amachos: not seeking fights}, not greedy for money.
4 Managing his own household {oikos: family sphere} well, keeping his children in subjection with all dignity {semnotes: seriousness and respectfulness}.
5 But if someone does not know how to manage {prostēnai: lead with oversight} his own household, how will he care for the church of God {Theos, Living God}?
6 He must not be a new convert {neophuton: spiritually inexperienced}, in order that, having become conceited, he does not fall into the judgment {krima: adverse verdict} of the devil.
7 But it is also necessary for him to have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into disgrace {oneidismos: public shame} and the snare of the devil {diabolos: Accusing Tempter}.
8 Deacons {diakonous: recognized servants} likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not giving attention to much wine {oinō pollō: habitual excess}, not greedy for shameful gain.
9 Holding the mystery {mysterion: revealed sacred secret} of the faith in a pure conscience {syneidesei: inner moral awareness}.
10 And let these also be tested {dokimazesthosan: carefully examined} first; then let them serve as deacons, being blameless {anenkletoi: free from accusation}.
11 Women likewise must be dignified {semnas: worthy of respect}, not slanderers {diabolous: malicious speech}, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Deacons {diakonoi: appointed servants} must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households {oikōn: family units} well.
13 For those who have served well acquire for themselves a good standing {bathmon: honorable position} and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus {Christo Iesou, Anointed Lord}.
14 I am writing {grapho: personal correspondence} these things to you, hoping to come to you soon {en tachei: without delay}.
15 But if I should delay, so that you may know how one ought to conduct oneself in the house of God {Theos, Sovereign Lord}, which is the church {ekklēsia: called-out community} of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
16 And by common confession, great is the mystery {mysterion: revealed secret} of godliness: He {Christos, Incarnate Lord} who was manifested in flesh, was justified in spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among nations, was believed in the world, was taken up in glory.