^{1 Ref} Stedfast `is' the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;

^{2 Ref} it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach,

^{3 Ref} not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

^{4 Ref} his own house leading well, having children in subjection with all gravity,

^{5 Ref} (and if any one his own house `how' to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)

^{6 Ref} not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;

^{7 Ref} and it behoveth him also to have a good testimony from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.

^{8 Ref} Ministrants -- in like manner grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not given to filthy lucre,

^{9 Ref} having the secret of the faith in a pure conscience,

^{10 Ref} and let these also first be proved, then let them minister, being unblameable.

^{11 Ref} Women -- in like manner grave, not false accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.

^{12 Ref} Ministrants -- let them be of one wife husbands; the children leading well, and their own houses,

^{13 Ref} for those who did minister well a good step to themselves do acquire, and much boldness in faith that `is' in Christ Jesus.

^{14 Ref} These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee soon,

^{15 Ref} and if I delay, that thou mayest know how it behoveth `thee' to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is an assembly of the living God -- a pillar and foundation of the truth,

^{16 Ref} and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety -- God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!