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.

17 ^uLet the ^velders who ^wrule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 ^xFor the Scripture says, ^y“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, ^z“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except ^aon the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, ^brebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 ^cIn the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, ^ddoing nothing from partiality. 22 ^eDo not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and ^feven those that are not cannot remain hidden.