1 Dette er et troverdig ord: Den som ønsker å bli tilsynsmann har et ønske om en god oppgave.

This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.

2 En tilsynsmann må være uklanderlig, én kvinnes mann, selvkontrollert, edruelig, ryddig, gjestfri og flink til å undervise.

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

3 Ikke en som lett blir sint eller voldelig, men mild; ingen stridslysten person, ikke glad i penger.

Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money;

4 Han må lede sitt eget hus godt, holde sine barn i tømme med all alvorlighet.

Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour;

5 (For dersom en mann ikke kan lede sitt eget hus, hvordan kan han da ta seg av Guds menighet?)

(For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)

6 Han må ikke være nyomvendt, for at han ikke skal bli hovmodig og falle i den ondes felle.

Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.

7 Han må ha et godt omdømme blant dem utenfor menigheten, så det ikke blir sagt noe galt om ham, og han ikke faller i den ondes snare.

And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.

8 Likeså skal diakonene være alvorlige, ikke falske i tale, ikke avhengige av mye vin eller pengegriske.

Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

9 De skal bevare troens hemmelighet i en ren samvittighet.

Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.

10 De skal først prøves, og så kan de være diakoner hvis det ikke er noe å anklage dem for.

And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.

11 Kvinner skal være alvorlige, ikke baktalende, edruelige, trofaste i alt.

Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.

12 Diakonene skal være én kvinnes mann, og de skal styre barna og sitt eget hus godt.

Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well.

13 For de som gjør en god tjeneste som diakoner vinner seg en verdig stilling og stor frimodighet i troen på Kristus Jesus.

For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 Jeg skriver dette til deg, selv om jeg håper å komme snart;

I am writing these things to you, though I am hoping to come to you before long;

15 men hvis jeg blir forsinket, skal dette klargjøre for deg hvordan en bør oppføre seg i Guds hus, som er den levende Guds menighet, sannhetens støtte og grunnvoll.

But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.

16 Utvilsomt er gudsfryktens hemmelighet stor: Han som ble åpenbart i kjødet, rettferdiggjort i ånden, sett av engler, forkynt blant folkeslagene, trodd i verden, og tatt opp i herlighet.

And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.