1 IT is a true saying, If any one desires an episcopate he desires a good work.
2 It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,
3 not a wine-drinker, not a quarrelsome man, but gentle, not contentious, not avaricious,
4 ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all dignity,??5 but if any one knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God???6 not a novice, lest being inflated with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 And he must also have a good name from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
8 The deacons in like manner ought to be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not devoted to base gain,
9 having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these be proved first, then let them serve, being found blameless.
11 The women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, circumspect, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their own houses.
13 For they who exercise the deaconship well, procure for themselves an honorable standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly;
15 but if I delay, that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 And confessedly great is the mystery of piety; [Christ,] who was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, was seen by angels, was preached to the nations, was believed on in the world, was received up into glory.