| 章 |
| 3:1 |
The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task.
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| 3:2 |
Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher,
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| 3:3 |
no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.
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| 3:4 |
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way;
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| 3:5 |
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?
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| 3:6 |
He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil;
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| 3:7 |
moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
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| 3:8 |
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain;
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| 3:9 |
they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
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| 3:10 |
And let them also be tested first;then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons.
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| 3:11 |
The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.
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| 3:12 |
Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well;
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| 3:13 |
for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which isin Christ Jesus.
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| 3:14 |
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that,
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| 3:15 |
if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.
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| 3:16 |
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
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