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1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder in the congregation (OR, a bishop) desires a noble task. 2 Since that is a task that others should respect, overseers must conduct themselves in such a way that no one can truly say that they have done anything that is wrong. Specifically, they must be faithful to their wives. They must think clearly about what they do. They must be able to control their behavior. They must be sensible. They must be dignified. They must welcome and care for guests.They must be able to teach God's truth well. 3 They must not be drunkards. They must not be ready to fight those who make them angry. On the contrary, they must be gentle and they must not be quarrelsome. They must not be greedy for much money. 4 They must lead and care for their own households well. For example, they must be men whom their children obey and completely respect, 5 because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, he certainly cannot care for God's congregation! 6 They must not be ones who have just recently trusted in Jesus, because if you choose a man like that he might become conceited because you chose him so soon. As a result of his being conceited, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil because he was conceited. 7 Moreover, elders must conduct themselves in such a way that non-Christians speak well of them, because if they conduct thmselves like that, people will not say evil things about them, and the devil will not trap them like people capture animals in a trap.8 Those whom you choose to serve as deacons likewise must be ones who conduct themselves suitably. Specifically, they must be serious. They must be sincere. They must not like to drink much alcohol. They must not have a strong desire to get money. 9 They must sincerely believe the message that God has now revealed to us. 10 Like you do for the elders, you must examine their character before you appoint them to serve. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons. 11 Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise must conduct themselves appropriately. Specifically, they must be serious. They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink much alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do. 12 Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and the rest of the people in their houses. 13 Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them and they will be able to speak very confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
14 Although I hope that I will come to you soon, I am writing these things to you now 15 in order that if I am delayed, you will know how believers should conduct their lives and you will be able to teach that to them. I am talking about all those who are members of God's family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold the true message. 16 It is certainly true that the message that God has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say about Christ (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live in a godly manner. It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. We affirm that it is true concerning Jesus Christ that,
He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body.
God's Spirit showed that he is truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously);
Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations;
People in many parts of the world believed the message about him.
God took him up into heaven.