1 Timothy 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 These are true words. If a man wants to be a leader of the church people, he seeks a good thing.

2 For a man to be a church leader, people must speak well of him. He must have only one wife. He must be able to control himself. He must use good sense. He must behave himself well. He must be kind to strangers in his house. He must be a good teacher.

3 He must not get drunk. He must not fight. But he must be kind. He must not quarrel. He must not love money.

4 He must be a good leader for his own family. His children must obey him and respect him.

5 If a man does not know how to lead his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

6 A church leader must not be a new believer. If he were a new believer, he might become proud and set himself up like the devil did.

7 People who are not church people must also speak well of a church leader, so that he will not fall into the devil's trap.

8 In the same way, the leader's helpers must be men whom people respect. They must not say one thing one time and something different another time. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get rich in wrong ways.

9 They must know God's plan and what we believe. They must do only what they know is right.

10 Try these men first. Then let them help the church people if they have done nothing wrong.

11 In the same way, their wives must be women whom people respect. They must not tell lies about anyone. They must be able to control themselves. They must live so that people can trust them in all things.

12 The leader's helpers must have only one wife. They must be good leaders for their children and family.

13 When they have done the work of a helper well, people will respect them. If they do well, they will not fear to tell what they believe about Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing to you about these matters even though I hope to come to you soon.

15 Then if I do not come right away, you will know what people should do in God's family. This family is the church of the living God. The church people hold what is true and keeps it strong.

16 God's plan is very great as we all know. Here it is: we saw God as a man; God's Spirit proved he was right; angels saw him; the nations were told about him; people of the world believed in him; God took him up into heaven.

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1 Timothy 3 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

3 Stedfast [is] the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth; 2 it behoveth, therefore, the overseer to be blameless, of one wife a husband, vigilant, sober, decent, a friend of strangers, apt to teach, 3 not given to wine, not a striker, not given to filthy lucre, but ...
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1 Timothy 3 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

3 A faithful word [I shall say]. If any man desireth a bishopric [If any man desire a bishopric], he desireth a good work. 2 Therefore it behooveth a bishop to be without reproof [Therefore it behooveth a bishop to be irreprehensible, or without reproof], the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, ch...
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1 Timothy 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 These are true words. If a man wants to be a leader of the church people, he seeks a good thing. 2 For a man to be a church leader, people must speak well of him. He must have only one wife. He must be able to control himself. He must use good sense. He must behave himself well. He must be kind to...
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1 Timothy 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

3 This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer[a] desires a good work. 2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; 3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarre...
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1 Timothy 3 - The Voice (VOICE)

People are more concerned about their outward appearance than their inner beauty. Paul wants women to pursue the right kind of beauty, the beauty of an inner life fashioned after godliness. That includes proper respect for their husbands, a willingness to learn the truth, and—unlike Eve—avoiding ent...
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1 Timothy 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Qualifications for Oversight and Service3 Trustworthy is the saying: “If any man aspires to the office of overseer,[a] he desires a good work.” 2 An overseer, then, must be beyond criticism—the husband of one wife, clear-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addict...
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1 Timothy 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop,[a] he desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,...
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1 Timothy 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, an...
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1 Timothy 3 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

3 This is a true saying: If anyone desires the office of an overseer, he desires a worthy work. 2 Therefore, an overseer must be blameless - the husband of one wife, sober, temperate, modest, hospitable, able to teach - 3 neither a drunkard nor a brawler nor given to greed, but gentle, peace-loving ...
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1 Timothy 3 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Character of a Bishop3 Here is a trustworthy saying: if someone is eager for the work of overseeing God’s people, the task they seek is a fine one. 2 The bishop must be beyond reproach. He must not have more than one wife. He must be temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, a good teacher....
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1 Timothy 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure:[a] whoever aspires to the office of bishop[b] desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop[c] must be above reproach, married only once,[d] temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome...
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1 Timothy 3 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Qualifications of Bishops3 The saying is sure:[a] whoever aspires to the office of bishop[b] desires a noble task.(A)2 Now a bishop[c] must be above reproach, married only once,[d] temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,(B)3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not qu...
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1 Timothy 3 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

What manner of man a bishop or priest ought to be, and how his wife and children should be. The qualities also required in a deacon or minister and in his wife. 3 This is a true saying: if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 Yea and a bishop must be faultless, the husban...
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1 Timothy 3 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Leaders in the Church3 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader,[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reput...
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1 Timothy 3 - New Life Version (NLV)

What a Church Leader Must Be Like3 It is true that if a man wants to be a church leader, he wants to do a good work. 2 A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must be willin...
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1 Timothy 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Qualifications of Overseers3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [a]bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not [b]given to wine, not violent, [c]no...
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