^2 (A)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{[a] (B)}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{[b] (C)}not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

⁷ For an overseer,^{[a] (A)}as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not ^(B)be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent ^(C)or greedy for gain,

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.

²⁶ Therefore ^(A)I testify to you this day that ^(B)I am innocent of the blood of all, ²⁷ for ^(C)I did not shrink from declaring to you ^(D)the whole counsel of God. ^28 (E)Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all ^(F)the flock, in which ^(G)the Holy Spirit has made you ^(H)overseers, ^(I)to care for ^(J)the church of God,^[a] which he ^(K)obtained ^(L)with his own blood.^[b]

Be Ready for Every Good Work

3 Remind them ^(A)to be submissive to rulers and authorities, ^(B)to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(A)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(B)not a lover of money.

^7 (A)Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? ^(B)Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

³ And ^(A)in their greed they will exploit you ^(B)with false words. ^(C)Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(A)fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ^(B)“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;