Parallel Bible results for "1 timothy 3"

1 Timothy 3

The Message Bible MSG

1 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good!

2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about,

3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.

4 He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.

5 For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?

6 He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up.

7 Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

8 The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it.

9 They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things.

10 Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.

11 No exceptions are to be made for women - same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.

12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.

13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so

15 you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.

16 This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

New International Version NIV

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit,was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.