For the overseermustbe above reproachas God'ssteward,not self-willed,not quick-tempered,not addicted to wine,not pugnacious,not fond of sordid gain,
and especiallythosewho indulgethe fleshin [its] corruptdesiresand despiseauthority.Daring,self-willed,they do not tremblewhen they revileangelic majesties,
And do not get drunkwith wine,for that is dissipation,but be filledwith the Spirit,
shepherdthe flockof Godamongyou, exercising oversightnot under compulsion,but voluntarily,accordingto [the will of] God;and not for sordid gain,but with eagerness;
As each onehas receiveda [special] gift,employ it in servingone anotheras goodstewardsof the manifoldgraceof God.
And the Lordsaid,"Whothenis the faithfuland sensiblesteward,whomhis masterwill put in chargeof his servants,to givethem their rationsat the proper time?
"Norshall anyof the priestsdrinkwinewhen they enterthe innercourt.
And thesealsoreelwith wineand staggerfrom strongdrink:The priestand the prophetreelwith strongdrink,They are confusedby wine,they staggerfrom strongdrink;They reelwhile having visions,They totter[when rendering] judgment.
A quick-temperedman actsfoolishly,And a manof evildevicesis hated.
A hot-temperedmanstirsup strife,But the slowto angercalmsa dispute.
Older womenlikewiseare to be reverentin their behavior,not malicious gossipsnorenslavedto muchwine,teaching what is good,
For thisreasonI leftyou in Crete,that you would set in orderwhat remainsand appointeldersin everycityas I directedyou,
Pauland Timothy,bond-servantsof ChristJesus,To allthe saintsin ChristJesuswho are in Philippi,includingthe overseersand deacons:
"Whothenis the faithfuland sensibleslavewhomhis masterput in chargeof his householdto givethem their foodat the proper time?
Do not be eagerin your heartto be angry,For angerresidesin the bosomof fools.
He whois slowto angeris betterthanthe mighty,And he who ruleshis spirit,thanhe who capturesa city.
"Do not drinkwineor strongdrink,neither you noryour sonswith you, when you comeinto the tentof meeting,so that you will not die--it is a perpetualstatutethroughout your generations--
"Let my soulnot enterinto their council;Let not my glorybe unitedwith their assembly;Becausein their angerthey slewmen,And in their self-willthey lamedoxen.
