1 Honor Widows Do not sharply rebuke an older man, butratherplead withhimas a father,tothe younger men as brothers,
2 the older women as mothers,andthe younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed,
4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to 5:4Lit give back recompenses make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
6 But she who lives in self-indulgence is dead even while she lives.
7 And command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old,having beenthe wife of one man,
10 having a reputation for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the 5:10 Or holy ones’ saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuseto putyounger widowson the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,
12 thusincurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous 5:12 Lit faith pledge.
13 And at the same time they also learnto beidle, as they go around from house to house. And not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not properto mention.
14 Therefore, I want youngerwidowsto get married, bear children, keep house,andgive the enemy no opportunity for reviling,
15 for some have already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any believing woman has widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.Honoring the Elders
17 The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor 5:17Lit in word atpreachingthe word and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
20 Those who continue in sin, reprove in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful.
21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and ofHiselect angels, to observe theseinstructionswithout bias, doing nothing in partiality.
22 Do not lay hands upon anyone hastily and 5:22 Lit do not share thereby shareresponsibility forthe sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink wateronly, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, theirsinsfollow after.
25 So also good works are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.