Pray for All People

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 ^zfor kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and ^aquiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is ^bpleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 ^cwho desires all people to be saved and to come to the ^dknowledge of the truth. 5 For ^ethere is one God, and ^fthere is one ^gmediator between God and men, the man¹ Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ^hransom for ⁱall, which is the testimony given ^jat the proper time. 7 For this I was ^kappointed a preacher and an ^lapostle ^m(I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Qualifications for Overseers

1 ^bThe saying is trustworthy: ^cIf anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an ^doverseer¹ must be above reproach, ^ethe husband of one wife,² sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must ^fmanage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, ^ghow will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become ^hpuffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a ⁱsnare of the devil.

Qualifications for Deacons

8 ^jDeacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,³ not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must ^khold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And ^llet them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise⁴ must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be ^mthe husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great ⁿconfidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

10 For to this end we toil and strive,¹ because ^rwe have our hope set on the living God, ^swho is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.