1 Timothy 3

1 Faithful is the word: if anyone reaches for oversight, he desires a good work. [a] 2 So the overseer must be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, of sound mind, orderly, a lover of strangers, able to teach, [b] 3 not given to wine, not a striker, but fair, not one to fight, free from the love of money, [c] 4 standing well in front of his own household, having children in submission with all dignity — [d] 5 and if someone does not know how to stand in front of his own household, how will he care for a gathering of God? — [e] 6 not newly planted, so that he may not be swollen with conceit and fall into the judgment of the Accuser. [f] 7 And he must also have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the Accuser. [g]

8 Servants in the same way must be dignified, not double-tongued, not holding to much wine, not greedy for shameful gain, [h] † 9 holding the secret of the faith with a clean conscience. [i] 10 And let these also be tested first, then let them serve, being without accusation. 11 Women in the same way must be dignified, not accusers, sober, faithful in all things. [j] 12 Let servants be husbands of one wife, standing well in front of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and much boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. [k]

14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you soon; 15 but if I am slow, so that you may know how one must conduct himself in the household of God, which is the gathering of the living God, a pillar and support of the truth. [l] 16 And by common agreement, great is the secret of devoutness: [m]