Church Officials
1 It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile. 2 That's why officials must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage. They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved, friendly to strangers, and able to teach. 3 They must not be heavy drinkers or troublemakers. Instead, they must be kind and gentle and not love money.
4 Church officials must be in control of their own families, and they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful. 5 If they don't know how to control their own families, how can they look after God's people?
6 They must not be new followers of the Lord. If they are, they might become proud and be doomed along with the devil. 7 Finally, they must be well-respected by people who are not followers. Then they won't be trapped and disgraced by the devil.
Church Officers
8 Church officers should be serious. They must not be liars, heavy drinkers, or greedy for money. 9 And they must have a clear conscience and hold firmly to what God has shown us about our faith. 10 They must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.
11 Women must also be serious. They must not gossip or be heavy drinkers, and they must be faithful in everything they do.
12 Church officers must be faithful in marriage. They must be in full control of their children and everyone else in their home. 13 Those who serve well as officers will earn a good reputation and will be highly respected for their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Our Religion
14 I hope to visit you soon. But I am writing these instructions, 15 so if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God's family ought to behave. After all, the church of the living God is the strong foundation of truth.
16 Here is the great mystery of our religion:
Christ came as a human.
The Spirit proved
that he pleased God,
and he was seen by angels.
Christ was preached
to the nations.
People in this world
put their faith in him,
and he was taken up to glory.
Dri'bai Känisa ya
1 Ata ono orivoya ŋgye. Ondro mano aza orivoya nja a'done dri'ba känisa ro, nda le ṛo losi kadopara yi. 2 Beṛo dri'ba känisa ro ri a'done koziako; beṛo ndäri a'done toto toko alodi be, a'done trwe, andivo ritarita ro, ago orooro ro, ndäri atrai urune 'ba ndaro ya, beṛo ndäri ŋgaembane; 3 beṛo ko ndäri a'done yi ufuufu ro wa si, ko a'done mano kyila be ro, oko trwe ago tokpero; beṛo ko ndäri parata lune; 4 beṛo ndäri a'done mbara ro katidri modo ndaro ro vona ondrene kado ago ŋgwai ndaro o'bane nda orone taoro cini si. 5 Tana ondro mano aza kuni kote katidri modo ndaro ro vona ondrene, nda unina känisa Lu ro tana otine eŋwanye ya? 6 Beṛo ndäri ko a'done kristo'ba to'di yi, ukyi nda ova 'da driuŋgyi be ago okozi 'da, oso Kicu'ba ronye. 7 Beṛo ndäri a'done mano se orooro ro lidri se tesi ko orivoya känisa ya ri, tana ukyi nda a'do 'da oroako ago o'de 'da abari Kicu'ba roya.
Känisa Opa'bai
8 Beṛo känisa opa'bai ri kpa a'done a'do kado be ago a'done 'diri; ànyari ko vino umvune amba kode a'done yagäru be parata ta; 9 beṛo ànyari taŋgye taoma ro se aka'dabe ätine ya ŋgye si. 10 Beṛo ànya ojone käti, 'dooko ondro ànya koyeyi taojoro te kado, ànya kinduru. 11 'Ditoko ànyaro be kpa ṛo a'done taoye kado be ago beṛo ko kyere oyene; beṛo ànyari a'done trwe ago 'diri ta cini ya. 12 Beṛo känisa opa'bai ri a'done toto toko alodi be, ago ka'do mbara be ŋgwai ndaro ndi katidri ndaro be vona ondrene kadoro. 13 Känisa opa'bai se kayibe losi ànyaro oyena kadoro arona andivo ànyaro ndi kadoro ago a'donayi ndi mbara ro taoma ànyaro Kristo Yesu ya tana opene turiako si.
Tandrwi Para
14 Ago mabe taegyi ono egyina ämiri ono, ma orivoya mio'ba be ukyine ami ondrene ndriro. 15 Oko ondro meleyete, taegyi ono o'bana ami 'da unine beṛo andivo amaro ri taoyene zo Lu ro ya eŋwanye; se orivoya ni känisa Lu lidriidri ro ro, läŋgyiri ago kotopa taŋgye ro ono. 16 'Diaza unina ko tapara ndrwi mätu amaro ro kalana ogane:
Aka'da nda te beti lidri robe,
aka'date a'done ŋgye Tori si,
ago malaikai ndrete.
Ape ta ndaro te tu'dei lako,
ama tate nda ya 'bädri cini yasi,
ago ärute lekuru vo'buyakuru ya, a'do 'desi ya.