3:1 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task.
3:1 The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.

3:2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher,
3:2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,

3:3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.
3:3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.

3:4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way;
3:4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way--

3:5 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?
3:5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?

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;
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.

3:7 moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
3:7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

3:8 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain;
3:8 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;

3:9 they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
3:9 they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

3:10 And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons.
3:10 And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons.

3:11 The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.
3:11 Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things.

3:12 Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well;
3:12 Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well;

3:13 for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:13 for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

3:14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that,
3:14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that,

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.
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.

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.
3:16 Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.