²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine^(A) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

⁴ For everything God created is good,^(A) and nothing is to be rejected^(B) if it is received with thanksgiving,

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[a](A) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(B) and not pursuing dishonest gain.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(A) or addicted to much wine,^(B) but to teach what is good.

⁷ Since an overseer^(A) manages God’s household,^(B) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.^(C)

³ not given to drunkenness,^(A) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(B) not a lover of money.^(C)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine,^(A) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^(B)