² Therefore ^(A)an overseer^[a] must be above reproach, ^(B)the husband of one wife,^{[b] (C)}sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, ^(D)hospitable, ^(E)able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(F)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(G)not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity ^(H)keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for ^(I)God's church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may ^(J)become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by ^(K)outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ^(L)a snare of the devil.

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, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, ^(D)and disciplined. ⁹ He must ^(E)hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in ^(F)sound^[b] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

^6 (A)True instruction^[a] was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he ^(B)turned many from iniquity. ⁷ For ^(C)the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people^[b] should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

^5 (A)Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but ^(B)our sufficiency is from God, ⁶ who has made us sufficient to be ^(C)ministers of ^(D)a new covenant, not of ^(E)the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but ^(F)the Spirit gives life.