First Reading
1 Timothy 3:1-13
- 1
A faithful saying: if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
- 2
It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher,
- 3
Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but
- 4
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity.
- 5
But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
- 6
Not a neophyte: lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil.
- 7
Moreover he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- 8
Deacons in like manner chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:
- 9
Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.
- 10
And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime.
- 11
The women in like manner chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things.
- 12
Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses.
- 13
For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition · public domain · 73 books. Psalm numbers follow the Roman lectionary.