² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(A) faithful to his wife,^(B) temperate,^(C) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(D) able to teach,^(E)

⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(A) and fall under the same judgment^(B) as the devil.

⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(C) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(D) 11} So Christ himself gave^(E) the apostles,^(F) the prophets,^(G) the evangelists,^(H) the pastors and teachers,^(I)

⁷ “For the lips of a priest^(A) ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger^(B) of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.^(C)

⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant^(A)—not of the letter^(B) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^(C)