A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul's day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.

Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, having been wife of one man,

But do not include younger widows on your list. For whenever their natural desires cause them to lose their devotion to the Messiah, they want to remarry.

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respectTeach them and exhort them about these things.