⁸ Deacons{The word for "deacons" literally means "servants."}, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers{The word translated "overseers" (episkopos) can also be translated superintendents, guardians, curators, or bishops.} and deacons{Or, servants}:

³ and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

²³ Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

³ not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

³ Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

² Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

⁹ "Drink no wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, that you don't die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations:

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

⁷ For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

¹² Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

¹³ "Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips;"

²¹ Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

² Your tongue plots destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

¹⁹ "You give your mouth to evil. You harnesses your tongue for deceit.

⁹ For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.