Qualifications for Overseers

3 The saying is ^(A)trustworthy: If anyone aspires to ^(B)the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

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,

^28 (A)Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all ^(B)the flock, in which ^(C)the Holy Spirit has made you ^(D)overseers, ^(E)to care for ^(F)the church of God,^[a] which he ^(G)obtained ^(H)with his own blood.^[b]

^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;

¹⁵ The saying is ^(A)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus ^(B)came into the world to save sinners, ^(C)of whom I am the foremost.

¹⁹ My brothers, ^(A)if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone ^(B)brings him back, ²⁰ let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering ^(C)will save his soul from death and ^(D)will cover a multitude of sins.

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;

¹¹ The saying is ^(A)trustworthy, for:

²⁵ For ^(A)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to ^(B)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.