1 The Word is faithful, If anyone desires the office of a bishop [to be a pastor or elder in the church], he desires a difficult ministry.2 It is expedient, therefore, that the bishop be blameless, the husband of [only] one wife, vigilant, temperate, of [worldly] affections mortified, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 not given to wine, not hurtful, not greedy of dishonest gain, but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;4 one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all integrity;5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)6 not a novice lest, being puffed up, he fall into judgment of the devil.7 Moreover he must have a good report of those who are outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.