1 Timothy 3:8-13
English Standard Version
Qualifications for Deacons
8 (A)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[a] (B)not addicted to much wine, (C)not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must (D)hold the mystery of the faith with (E)a clear conscience. 10 And (F)let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 (G)Their wives likewise[b] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, (H)faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be (I)the husband of one wife, (J)managing their children and their own households well. 13 For (K)those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
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- 1 Timothy 3:8 Or devious in speech
- 1 Timothy 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise
Acts 6:1-7
English Standard Version
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 Now in these days (A)when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in (B)the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 (C)Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men (D)of good repute, (E)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But (F)we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, (G)a man full of faith and (H)of the Holy Spirit, and (I)Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, (J)a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and (K)they prayed and (L)laid their hands on them.
7 And (M)the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests (N)became obedient to (O)the faith.
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.