⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[a] respect.^(A)

⁶ An elder must be blameless,^(A) faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^[a] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(A) and must manage his children and his household well.^(B)

¹⁹ For I have chosen him^(A), so that he will direct his children^(B) and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord^(C) by doing what is right and just,^(D) so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”^(E)

⁷ In everything set them an example^(A) by doing what is good.^(B) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

² Teach the older men^(A) to be temperate,^(B) worthy of respect, self-controlled,^(C) and sound in faith,^(D) in love and in endurance.

² He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;^(A) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites,^(A) in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household,^(B) we will serve the Lord.”^(C)