²³ Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

⁴ Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.

⁸ In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.^[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good.

⁷ A church leader^[a] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,^[b] violent, or dishonest with money.

³ He must not be a heavy drinker^[a] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.

¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

²¹ The priests must not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard.