Woe to the Complacent

Psalm 146

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:^(A) Whoever aspires to be an overseer^(B) desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(C) faithful to his wife,^(D) temperate,^(E) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(F) able to teach,^{(G) 3} not given to drunkenness,^(H) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(I) not a lover of money.^{(J) 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.^{(K) 5} (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{(L) 6} He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(M) and fall under the same judgment^(N) as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^(O) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^(P)

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[b](Q) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(R) and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{(S) 10} They must first be tested;^(T) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ In the same way, the women^[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^(U) but temperate^(V) and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(W) and must manage his children and his household well.^{(X) 13} Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

⁶ But godliness with contentment^(A) is great gain.^{(B) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.^{(C) 8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.^{(D) 9} Those who want to get rich^(E) fall into temptation and a trap^(F) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money^(G) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith^(H) and pierced themselves with many griefs.^(I)

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God,^(J) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,^(K) faith, love,^(L) endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight^(M) of the faith. Take hold of^(N) the eternal life^(O) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(P) in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate^(Q) made the good confession,^(R) I charge you^{(S) 14} to keep this command without spot or blame^(T) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(U) 15} which God will bring about in his own time^(V)—God, the blessed^(W) and only Ruler,^(X) the King of kings and Lord of lords,^{(Y) 16} who alone is immortal^(Z) and who lives in unapproachable light,^(AA) whom no one has seen or can see.^(AB) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.^(AC)

¹⁷ Command those who are rich^(AD) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,^(AE) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,^(AF) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.^{(AG) 18} Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(AH) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(AI) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(AJ) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(AK) the life that is truly life.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.^{(A) 20} At his gate was laid a beggar^(B) named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.^(C) Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham,^(D) have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’^(E)

²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things,^(F) but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.^{(G) 26} And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers. Let him warn them,^(H) so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses^(I) and the Prophets;^(J) let them listen to them.’

³⁰ “‘No, father Abraham,’^(K) he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”