15 Bible Verses about Ministers

You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all. And a burning light is not put under a vessel, but on its table; so that its rays may be shining on all who are in the house. Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

To make their eyes open, turning them from the dark to the light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may have forgiveness of sins and a heritage among those who are made holy by faith in me.

For they themselves give the news of how we came among you; and how you were turned from images to God, to the worship of a true and living God,

O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;

Or to give attention to stories and long lists of generations, from which come questionings and doubts, in place of God's ordered way of life which is in faith;

And it is right for such servants to be safe persons.

And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.

You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all.

He was a burning and shining light, and for a time you were ready to be happy in his light.

And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

For this reason, because we have been made servants of this new order, through the mercy given to us, we are strong:

Of which I was made a preacher, through that grace of God which was given to me in the measure of the working of his power.

If you keep yourselves safely based in the faith, not moved from the hope of the good news which came to you, and which was given to every living being under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.

Who has made us able to be servants of a new agreement; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter gives death, but the Spirit gives life.

Of which I was made a preacher and an Apostle and a teacher;

For this was the reason why the good news of Jesus was given even to the dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but might be living before God in the spirit.

Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.

And they went out, preaching everywhere, the Lord working with them, and giving witness to the word by the signs which came after. So be it.

And in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the waste land of Judaea,

And I saw another angel in flight between heaven and earth, having eternal good news to give to those who are on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and language and people,

And because the revelations were so very great, in order that I might not be overmuch lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, one sent from Satan to give me pain.

So in the morning I was teaching the people and in the evening death took my wife; and in the morning I did what I had been ordered to do.

Even to this hour we are without food, drink, and clothing, we are given blows and have no certain resting-place;

In blows, in prisons, in attacks, in hard work, in watchings, in going without food;

Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking foolishly) I am more so; I have had more experience of hard work, of prisons, of blows more than measure, of death.

So keep watch, having in mind that for three years without resting I was teaching every one of you, day and night, with weeping.

So though I sent you a letter, it was not only because of the man who did the wrong, or because of him to whom the wrong was done, but so that your true care for us might be made clear in the eyes of God.

In addition to all the other things, there is that which comes on me every day, the care of all the churches.

For I have a fear that, when I come, you may not be answering to my desire, and that I may not be answering to yours; that there may be fighting, hate, angry feeling, divisions, evil talk about others, secrets, thoughts of pride, outbursts against authority;

I am in fear of you, that I may have been working for you to no purpose.

Its heads take rewards for judging, and the priests take payment for teaching, and the prophets get silver for reading the future: but still, supporting themselves on the Lord, they say, Is not the Lord among us? no evil will overtake us.

For from the least of them even to the greatest, everyone is given up to getting money; from the prophet even to the priest, everyone is working deceit.

His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dogs without tongues, unable to make a sound; stretched out dreaming, loving sleep.

For the prophet as well as the priest is unclean; even in my house I have seen their evil-doing, says the Lord.

The visions which your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish; they have not made clear to you your sin so that your fate might be changed: but they have seen for you false words, driving you away.

Being greatly troubled because they were teaching the people and preaching Jesus as an example of the coming back from the dead.

And Philip went down to Samaria and was teaching them about Christ.

So Philip, starting from this writing, gave him the good news about Jesus.

And straight away, in the Synagogues, he was preaching Jesus as the Son of God.

The word which he sent to the children of Israel, giving the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all)--

Being greatly troubled because they were teaching the people and preaching Jesus as an example of the coming back from the dead.

And Philip went down to Samaria and was teaching them about Christ.

So Philip, starting from this writing, gave him the good news about Jesus.

And straight away, in the Synagogues, he was preaching Jesus as the Son of God.

The word which he sent to the children of Israel, giving the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all)--

These they took to the Apostles, who, after prayer, put their hands on them.

Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you.

Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.

For this reason I say to you, Let that grace of God which is in you, given to you by my hands, have living power.

And Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had put his hands on him: and the children of Israel gave ear to him, and did as the Lord had given orders to Moses.

And those who are wise will be shining like the light of the outstretched sky; and those by whom numbers have been turned to righteousness will be like the stars for ever and ever.

For God is true, and will not put away from him the memory of your work and of your love for his name, in the help which you gave and still give to the saints.

For this cause, my dear brothers, be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever giving yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you are certain that your work is not without effect in the Lord.

But he who goes on looking into the true law which makes him free, being not a hearer without memory but a doer putting it into effect, this man will have a blessing on his acts.

Whoever gives you a cup of water, because you are Christ's, truly I say to you, he will in no way be without his reward.

And he said to them, Go into all the world, and give the good news to everyone.

What I say to you in the dark, say in the light: and what comes to your ear secretly, say publicly from the house-tops.

And, on your way, say, The kingdom of heaven is near.

Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;

But he said to him, Let the dead take care of their dead; it is for you to go and give news of the kingdom of God.

And he said to them, Go into all the world, and give the good news to everyone.

What I say to you in the dark, say in the light: and what comes to your ear secretly, say publicly from the house-tops.

And, on your way, say, The kingdom of heaven is near.

Be preaching the word at all times, in every place; make protests, say sharp words, give comfort, with long waiting and teaching;

But he said to him, Let the dead take care of their dead; it is for you to go and give news of the kingdom of God.

For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

Take no bag for your journey and do not take two coats or shoes or a stick: for the workman has a right to his food.

Even so did the Lord give orders that the preachers of the good news might get their living from the good news.

But let him who gets teaching in the word give a part in all good things to his teacher.

But you did well to have care for me in my need.

For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

Take no bag for your journey and do not take two coats or shoes or a stick: for the workman has a right to his food.

Even so did the Lord give orders that the preachers of the good news might get their living from the good news.

But let him who gets teaching in the word give a part in all good things to his teacher.

But you did well to have care for me in my need.

And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

Giving to the needs of the saints, ready to take people into your houses.

But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled;

Take care to keep open house: because in this way some have had angels as their guests, without being conscious of it.

Give attention to yourselves, and to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has given into your care, to give food to the church of God, for which he gave his blood.

He said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, am I dear to you? Now Peter was troubled in his heart because he put the question a third time, Am I dear to you? And he said to him, Lord, you have knowledge of all things; you see that you are dear to me. Jesus said to him, Then give my sheep food.

And I will give you keepers, pleasing to my heart, who will give you your food with knowledge and wisdom.

And I will put over them one keeper, and he will give them food, even my servant David; he will give them food and be their keeper.

And I will put over them keepers who will take care of them: never again will they be overcome with fear or be troubled, and there will not be the loss of one of them, says the Lord

Give attention to yourselves, and to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has given into your care, to give food to the church of God, for which he gave his blood.

He said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, am I dear to you? Now Peter was troubled in his heart because he put the question a third time, Am I dear to you? And he said to him, Lord, you have knowledge of all things; you see that you are dear to me. Jesus said to him, Then give my sheep food.

And I will give you keepers, pleasing to my heart, who will give you your food with knowledge and wisdom.

And I will put over them one keeper, and he will give them food, even my servant David; he will give them food and be their keeper.

And I will put over them keepers who will take care of them: never again will they be overcome with fear or be troubled, and there will not be the loss of one of them, says the Lord

For we are not like the great number who make use of the word of God for profit: but our words are true, as from God, being said as before God in Christ.

For it is common knowledge among you that we never made use of smooth-sounding false words, and God is witness that at no time were we secretly desiring profit for ourselves,

And we have given up the secret things of shame, not walking in false ways, and not making use of the word of God with deceit; but by the revelation of what is true, as before God, we have the approval of every man's sense of right and wrong.

For our witness does not come from error or from an unclean heart or from deceit:

Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

And let those whose masters are of the faith have respect for them because they are brothers, working for them the more readily, because those who take part in the good work are of the faith and are dear. Give orders and teaching about these things.

Let these be your orders and your teaching.

Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,

Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

And let those whose masters are of the faith have respect for them because they are brothers, working for them the more readily, because those who take part in the good work are of the faith and are dear. Give orders and teaching about these things.

Let these be your orders and your teaching.

Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,

Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

But if the watchman sees the sword coming, and does not give a note on the horn, and the people have no word of the danger, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them; he will be taken away in his sin, but I will make the watchman responsible for his blood.

And he said to me, Son of man, take this roll for your food, and go and say my words to the children of Israel. And, on my opening my mouth, he made me take the roll as food. And he said to me, Son of man, let your stomach make a meal of it and let your inside be full of this roll which I am giving you. Then I took it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. read more.
And he said to me, Son of man, go now to the children of Israel, and say my words to them. For you are not sent to a people whose talk is strange and whose language is hard, but to the children of Israel; Not to a number of peoples whose talk is strange and whose language is hard and whose words are not clear to you. Truly, if I sent you to them they would give ear to you. But the children of Israel will not give ear to you; for they have no mind to give ear to me: for all the children of Israel have a hard brow and a stiff heart. See, I have made your face hard against their faces, and your brow hard against their brows. Like a diamond harder than rock I have made your brow: have no fear of them and do not be overcome by their looks, for they are an uncontrolled people. Then he said to me, Son of man, take into your heart all my words which I am about to say to you, and let your ears be open to them. And go now to those who have been taken away as prisoners, to the children of your people, and say to them, This is what the Lord has said; if they give ear or if they do not. Then I was lifted up by the wind, and at my back the sound of a great rushing came to my ears when the glory of the Lord was lifted up from his place. And there was the sound of the wings of the living beings touching one another, and the sound of the wheels at their side, the sound of a great rushing. And the wind, lifting me up, took me away: and I went in the heat of my spirit, and the hand of the Lord was strong on me. Then I came to those who had been taken away as prisoners, who were at Telabib by the river Chebar, and I was seated among them full of wonder for seven days. And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the children of Israel: so give ear to the word of my mouth, and give them word from me of their danger.

To the one it is a perfume of death to death; to the other a perfume of life to life. And who is enough for such things?

Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.

And at the coming of the chief Keeper of the sheep, you will be given the eternal crown of glory.

If any man's work comes through the test, he will have a reward.

Truly, I say to you, he will put him over all he has.

But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it. What then is my reward? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.

So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:

Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Keep in mind those who were over you, and who gave you the word of God; seeing the outcome of their way of life, let your faith be like theirs.

And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Brothers, take me as your example, and take note of those who are walking after the example we have given.

Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.

Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living.

Not as lords over God's heritage, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

You at the same time helping together by your prayer for us; so that for what has been given to us through a number of persons, praise may go up to God for us from all of them.

Make prayers for us, for we are certain that our hearts are free from the sense of sin, desiring the right way of life in all things.

And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news,

Now I make request to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you will be working together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Even so, being full of loving desire for you, we took delight in giving you not only God's good news, but even our lives, because you were dear to us.

So it is right for me to take thought for you all in this way, because I have you in my heart; for in my chains, and in my arguments before the judges in support of the good news, making clear that it is true, you all have your part with me in grace.

Even as you saw how, like a father with his children, we were teaching and comforting you all, and giving witness,

For Christ sent me, not to give baptism, but to be a preacher of the good news: not with wise words, for fear that the cross of Christ might be made of no value.

And in my preaching there were no honeyed words of wisdom, but I was dependent on the power of the Spirit to make it clear to you:

And when I came to you, my brothers, I did not come with wise words of knowledge, putting before you the secret of God.

Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

I have put watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will not keep quiet day or night: you who are the Lord's recorders, take no rest,

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the children of Israel: so give ear to the word of my mouth, and give them word from me of their danger.

And I put watchmen over you, saying, Give attention to the sound of the horn; but they said, We will not give attention.

I give praise to my God at every memory of you,

I give praise to my God for you at all times, because of the grace of God which has been given to you in Christ Jesus;

For how great is the praise which we give to God for you, and how great the joy with which we are glad because of you before our God;

So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:

Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

But let him who gets teaching in the word give a part in all good things to his teacher.

In addition, he gave orders to the people of Jerusalem to give to the priests and Levites that part which was theirs by right, so that they might be strong in keeping the law of the Lord.

Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk? Am I talking as a man? does not the law say the same? For it says in the law of Moses, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. Is it for the oxen that God is giving orders? read more.
Or has he us in mind? Yes, it was said for us; because it is right for the ploughman to do his ploughing in hope, and for him who is crushing the grain to do his work hoping for a part in the fruits of it. If we have been planting the things of the Spirit for you, does it seem a great thing for you to give us a part in your things of this world?

Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;

Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

I have had no desire for any man's silver or gold or clothing.

Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;

Give attention to yourselves, and to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has given into your care, to give food to the church of God, for which he gave his blood.

And I will give you keepers, pleasing to my heart, who will give you your food with knowledge and wisdom.

Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;

Then when they had taken food, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, is your love for me greater than the love of these others? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you are certain of my love for you. He said to him, Then give my lambs food. Again, a second time, he said to him, Simon, son of John, have you any love for me? Yes, Lord, he said, you are certain of my love for you. Then take care of my sheep, said Jesus. He said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, am I dear to you? Now Peter was troubled in his heart because he put the question a third time, Am I dear to you? And he said to him, Lord, you have knowledge of all things; you see that you are dear to me. Jesus said to him, Then give my sheep food.

For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus, at his coming?

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you; For this cause, brothers, in all our trouble and grief we were comforted about you because of your faith; For it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged. read more.
For how great is the praise which we give to God for you, and how great the joy with which we are glad because of you before our God;

Make a loud cry, do not be quiet, let your voice be sounding like a horn, and make clear to my people their evil doings, and to the family of Jacob their sins.

And you, son of man, have no fear of them or of their words, even if sharp thorns are round you and you are living among scorpions: have no fear of their words and do not be overcome by their looks, for they are an uncontrolled people.

What I say to you in the dark, say in the light: and what comes to your ear secretly, say publicly from the house-tops. And have no fear of those who put to death the body, but are not able to put to death the soul. But have fear of him who has power to give soul and body to destruction in hell.

Giving no cause for trouble in anything, so that no one may be able to say anything against our work;

Give no cause of trouble to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God. Even as I give way to all men in all things, not looking for profit for myself, but for the good of others, that they may get salvation.

This is now the third time that I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a trouble to you: my desire is for you, not for your property: for it is not the children's business to make store for their fathers, but the fathers for the children.

Or looking for glory from men, from you or from others, when we might have made ourselves a care to you as Apostles of Christ.

For you have the memory, my brothers, of our trouble and care; how, working night and day, so that we might not be a trouble to any of you, we gave you the good news of God.

What then is my reward? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.

Let them be holy to their God and not make the name of their God common; for the fire offerings of the Lord and the bread of their God are offered by them, and they are to be holy.

You are to make a plate of the best gold, cutting on it, as on a stamp, these words: HOLY TO THE LORD.

But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled;

For though I might take pride in our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for your destruction), it will not be a cause of shame to me:

For this cause I am writing these things while I am away, so that there may be need for me, when I am present, to make use of sharp measures, by the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for destruction.

For though I might take pride in our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for your destruction), it will not be a cause of shame to me:

For this cause I am writing these things while I am away, so that there may be need for me, when I am present, to make use of sharp measures, by the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for destruction.

And that as you are full of every good thing, of faith, of the word, of knowledge, of a ready mind, and of love to us, so you may be full of this grace in the same way.

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has given us good news of your faith and love, and that you have happy memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, even as we do to see you;

And Philip went down to Samaria and was teaching them about Christ.

So Philip, starting from this writing, gave him the good news about Jesus.

For I had made the decision to have knowledge of nothing among you but only of Jesus Christ on the cross.

But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

So then the planter is nothing, and the waterer is nothing; but God who gives the increase.

Even as you have been ready, in part, to say that we are your glory, in the same way that you are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I said this very thing in my letter, for fear that when I came I might have sorrow from those from whom it was right for me to have joy; being certain of this, that my joy is the joy of you all.

Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them;

As full of sorrow, but ever glad; as poor, but giving wealth to others; as having nothing, but still having all things.

Brothers, take me as your example, and take note of those who are walking after the example we have given.

So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine.

For the training of the saints as servants in the church, for the building up of the body of Christ:

It may seem to you that all this time we have been attempting to put ourselves in the right; but we are saying these things before God in Christ. For all things, dear brothers, are for your profit.

Am I now using arguments to men, or God? or is it my desire to give men pleasure? if I was still pleasing men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

But even as the good news was given to us by the approval of God, so we give it out; not as pleasing men, but God by whom our hearts are tested.

For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

But we were gentle among you, like a woman caring for her little ones:

Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

That you put yourselves under such, and under everyone who is helping the Lord's work.

And you did not have a poor opinion of me because of the trouble in my flesh, or put shame on it; but you took me to your hearts as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Let us be judged as servants of Christ, and as those who are responsible for the secret things of God.

For I have not kept back from you anything of the purpose of God.

And how I kept back nothing which might be of profit to you, teaching you publicly and privately,

Go, take your place in the Temple and give the people all the teaching about this Life.

But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,

For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

Then I said, The curse is on me, and my fate is destruction; for I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of armies. Then a winged one came to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from off the altar with the fire-spoon. And after touching my mouth with it, he said, See, your lips have been touched with this; and your evil is taken away, and you are made clean from sin.

Not as if we were able by ourselves to do anything for which we might take the credit; but our power comes from God; Who has made us able to be servants of a new agreement; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter gives death, but the Spirit gives life.

But if that evil servant says in his heart, My lord is a long time in coming; And is cruel to the other servants, taking his pleasure with those who are overcome with wine; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not looking for him, and in an hour of which he has no knowledge, read more.
And will have him cut in two, and will give him a part in the fate of the false ones: there will be weeping and cries of sorrow.

But if the watchman sees the sword coming, and does not give a note on the horn, and the people have no word of the danger, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them; he will be taken away in his sin, but I will make the watchman responsible for his blood. So you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the children of Israel; and you are to give ear to the word of my mouth and give them news from me of their danger. When I say to the evil-doer, Death will certainly overtake you; and you say nothing to make clear to the evil-doer the danger of his way; death will overtake that evil man in his evil-doing, but I will make you responsible for his blood.

If you keep these things before the minds of the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the right teaching which has been your guide:

But those are preaching Christ in a spirit of competition, not from their hearts, but with the purpose of giving me pain in my prison.

But I put no value on my life, if only at the end of it I may see the work complete which was given to me by the Lord Jesus, to be a witness of the good news of the grace of God.

In the measure of my strong hope and belief that in nothing will I be put to shame, but that without fear, as at all times, so now will Christ have glory in my body, by life or by death. For to me life is Christ and death is profit.

For this cause I go down on my knees before the Father,

And in all my prayers for you all, making my request with joy,

His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dogs without tongues, unable to make a sound; stretched out dreaming, loving sleep. Yes, the dogs are for ever looking for food; while these, the keepers of the sheep, are without wisdom: they have all gone after their pleasure, every one looking for profit; they are all the same. Come, they say, I will get wine, and we will take strong drink in full measure; and tomorrow will be like today, full of pleasure.

For there are men who are not ruled by law; foolish talkers, false teachers, specially those of the circumcision, By whom some families have been completely overturned; who take money for teaching things which are not right; these will have to be stopped.

He who has faith and is given baptism will get salvation; but he who has not faith will be judged.

For Christ sent me, not to give baptism, but to be a preacher of the good news: not with wise words, for fear that the cross of Christ might be made of no value.

Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching.

Have a care for these things; give yourself to them with all your heart, so that all may see how you go forward.

I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith:

This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight,

Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour;

Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well.

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

And I make request to you, true helper in my work, to see to the needs of those women who took part with me in the good news, with Clement and the rest of my brother-workers whose names are in the book of life.

Give my love to Urbanus, a worker in Christ with us, and to my dear Stachys.

Let them be: they are blind guides. And if a blind man is guiding a blind man, the two will go falling into a hole together.

And they have made little of the wounds of my people, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

Away! away! go out from there, touching no unclean thing; go out from among her; be clean, you who take up the vessels of the Lord.

Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.

Whoever gives ear to you, gives ear to me; and whoever is against you, is against me; and whoever is against me, is against him who sent me.

Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living.

For it is right for the priest's lips to keep knowledge, and for men to be waiting for the law from his mouth: for he is the servant sent from the Lord of armies.

All things, then, which they give you orders to do, these do and keep: but do not take their works as your example, for they say and do not.

Let the priests, the servants of the Lord, be weeping between the covered way and the altar, and let them say, Have mercy on your people, O Lord, do not give up your heritage to shame, so that the nations become their rulers: why let them say among the peoples, Where is their God?

For this reason, we, from the day when we had word of it, keep on in prayer for you, that you may be full of the knowledge of his purpose, with all wisdom and experience of the Spirit,

Take no wine, or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of meeting, that it may not be the cause of death to you; this is an order for ever through all your generations.

But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled;

A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army.

But he said to him, Let the dead take care of their dead; it is for you to go and give news of the kingdom of God.

For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;

Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;

For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

But opening his house freely to guests; a lover of what is good, serious-minded, upright, holy, self-controlled;

For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;

Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;

Now let Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, come near from among the children of Israel, so that they may be my priests, even Aaron, and Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, his sons.

And no man who is not given authority by God, as Aaron was, takes this honour for himself.

And in their desire for profit they will come to you with words of deceit, like traders doing business in souls: whose punishment has been ready for a long time and their destruction is watching for them.