1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder in the congregation (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task. 2  Since that is a task that others should respect, an overseer must conduct himself in such a way that no one can truly ◄say that he has done anything that is wrong/find fault with him►. Specifically, he must be faithful to his wife. He must think clearly about what he does. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach God's truth well. 3 He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight those who make him angry. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for much money. 4 He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his 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!/how can he care for God's congregation?► [RHQ] 6 He must not be one who has just recently trusted in Jesus, because if you choose a man like that he might become conceited/proud because you chose him so soon. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil because he was conceited/proud. 7 Moreover, an elder must conduct himself in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because if he conducts himself like that, people will not ◄reproach/say evil things about► him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] like people capture animals in a trap.

8  Those whom you choose to serve as deacons likewise must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be ◄serious/worthy that people respect them►. They must ◄be sincere/mean what they say►. They must not like to drink much alcohol. They must not ◄be greedy/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/how they conduct their lives► 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 suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be ◄serious/worthy that people respect them►. 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 boldly/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/things prevent me from coming to you soon►, 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/support [MET] 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/sing 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/in a manner that pleases God►. It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before . We ◄ affirm/say that it is true► concerning Jesus Christ that,