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Overseers and Deacons

^1 (C1)It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the ^(C2)office of ^(F1)overseer, he desires a good work.^2 (F1)(C1)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, ^(C2)the husband of one wife, ^(C3)temperate, sensible, respectable, ^(C4)hospitable, ^(C5)able to teach,^3 (C1)not addicted to wine ^(F1)or pugnacious, but considerate, peaceable, ^(C2)free from the love of money;^4 (C1)leading his own household well, having his children in submission with all dignity⁵ (but if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of ^(C1)the church of God?),⁶ and not a new convert, so that he will not become ^(C1)conceited and fall into the ^(C2)condemnation of the devil.⁷ And he must ^(C1)have a good reputation with ^(C2)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and ^(C3)the snare of the devil.

^8 (C1)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not ^(F1)double-tongued, ^(C2)not indulging in much wine, ^(C3)not fond of dishonest gain,^9 (C1)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.^10 (C1)And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.^11 (F1)Women must likewise be dignified, ^(C1)not malicious gossips, but ^(C2)temperate, faithful in all things.^12 (C1)Deacons must be ^(C2)husbands of only one wife, ^(C3)leading their children and their own households well.¹³ For those who have served well as deacons ^(C1)obtain for themselves a ^(F1)high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon,¹⁵ but ^(F1)in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how ^(F2)one ought to conduct himself in ^(C1)the household of God, which is the ^(C2)church of ^(C3)the living God, the ^(C4)pillar and support of the truth.¹⁶ And by common confession, great is ^(C1)the mystery of godliness:

He who was ^(C2)manifested in the flesh,
Was ^(F1)(C3)vindicated ^(F2)in the Spirit,
^(C4)Seen by angels,
^(C5)Proclaimed among the nations,
^(C6)Believed on in the world,
^(C7)Taken up in glory.