Kādam jābūt bīskapam
1 Ja kāds tiecas pēc bīskapa amata, tas kāro pēc krietna darba. 2 Bīskapam ir jābūt bez vainas, vienas sievas vīram, skaidru prātu, nosvērtam, pieticīgam, viesmīlīgam, lietpratīgam skolotājam, 3 nevis tādam, kas mīl iedzert un ir kauslis, bet kas ir lēnprātīgs, neķildojas un nav mantrausīgs, 4 kas savu namu labi pārvalda un bērnus tur paklausībā un audzina krietnumā. 5 Bet, ja kāds savu namu nemāk pārvaldīt, kā viņš aprūpēs Dieva draudzi? 6 Viņam jābūt ne jaunatgrieztam, lai augstprātības dēļ viņš nekristu par upuri velna sodībai. 7 Par viņu ir jābūt labai slavai ārpus draudzes, lai viņš nekristu negodā un neiekļūtu velna slazdā.
Kādiem jābūt diakoniem
8 Tāpat arī diakoniem ir jābūt cienījamiem, viņi nedrīkst būt divkosīgi, nodoties dzeršanai un negodīgai mantas raušanai. 9 Viņiem ir jābūt tādiem, kas ticības noslēpumu tur tīrā sirdsapziņā. 10 Vispirms lai viņi tiek pārbaudīti un, ja ir bez vainas, tad lai kalpo. 11 Tāpat arī sievām ir jābūt cienījamām – nevis neslavas cēlājām, bet atturīgām un visās lietās uzticamām. 12 Lai diakoni ir vienas sievas vīri, kas labi pārrauga savus bērnus un savu namu. 13 Tie, kas krietni veic kalpošanas darbu, iegūst godājamu stāvokli un pārliecību droši sludināt ticībā, kas pamatota Kristū Jēzū.
Dievticības noslēpums
14 Šo visu es tev rakstu, būdams cerībā, ka drīz ieradīšos, 15 bet, ja es aizkavēšos, lai tu zinātu, kā tev vajag darboties Dieva namā. Jo šis nams ir dzīvā Dieva draudze, patiesības balsts un pamats. 16 Visatzīstami liels ir dievticības noslēpums:
viņš ir parādījies miesā,
Tēva attaisnots Garā,
tapis redzams eņģeļiem,
sludināts pagāniem,
ticībā pieņemts pasaulē,
uzņemts godībā.
Church Officials
1 It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile. 2 That's why officials must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage. They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved, friendly to strangers, and able to teach. 3 They must not be heavy drinkers or troublemakers. Instead, they must be kind and gentle and not love money.
4 Church officials must be in control of their own families, and they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful. 5 If they don't know how to control their own families, how can they look after God's people?
6 They must not be new followers of the Lord. If they are, they might become proud and be doomed along with the devil. 7 Finally, they must be well-respected by people who are not followers. Then they won't be trapped and disgraced by the devil.
Church Officers
8 Church officers should be serious. They must not be liars, heavy drinkers, or greedy for money. 9 And they must have a clear conscience and hold firmly to what God has shown us about our faith. 10 They must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.
11 Women must also be serious. They must not gossip or be heavy drinkers, and they must be faithful in everything they do.
12 Church officers must be faithful in marriage. They must be in full control of their children and everyone else in their home. 13 Those who serve well as officers will earn a good reputation and will be highly respected for their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Our Religion
14 I hope to visit you soon. But I am writing these instructions, 15 so if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God's family ought to behave. After all, the church of the living God is the strong foundation of truth.
16 Here is the great mystery of our religion:
Christ came as a human.
The Spirit proved
that he pleased God,
and he was seen by angels.
Christ was preached
to the nations.
People in this world
put their faith in him,
and he was taken up to glory.
