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3:1 It is a trustworthy saying, that if anyone aspires to watchcare, he is desirous of a good work. 2 It is necessary, then, that the watch-carer [or shepherd] be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to wine, not a brawler, but gentle and peaceable, not loving money, 4 managing his own household well, having children in submission with all respect. 5 For if one does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the Church of God? 6 He should not be a novice, so that, becoming arrogant, he might then fall into the judgment of the accuser. 7 It is necessary for him also to have a good testimony from those outside, so that he might not fall into reproach and the traps of the accuser.
8 Servants [deacons or administrators] in the church, likewise, must be respectful, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of dishonest gain, 9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear consciousness. 10 Let these also be proven first, then let them serve, being blameless. 11 Women, likewise, must be respectful, not accusers, clear-minded, faithful in all. 12 Let servants in the church be husbands of one wife, managing their children well and their own households. 13 For those who have served well gain a good standing for themselves and great confidence in speaking boldly inside the faith that is inside of Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. 15 If I should be delayed, however, I would have you know how it is necessary for one to conduct oneself inside the household of God, • which is the living Church of God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. • 16 And as we speak the same word, great is the mystery of godliness: “The One who was made visible inside of flesh, was made justly innocent inside of Spirit; the One who was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the ethnic families, was believed on in the world-cosmos, and was received up inside of glory.”
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