1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15 For already some have turned away after Satan. 16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
19 Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21 I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
24 Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father, [and] the younger men as brethren,
2 the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let those learn first to govern their house in piety and to recompense their parents, for this is honest and pleasing before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusts in God, and is diligent in supplications and prayers night and day,
6 but she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
7 Therefore command these things, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be placed on the list being not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 having a good testimony of good works, if she has brought up [well her] children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 having condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 And reject also the idle, who have learned to wander about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I desire therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, govern the house, giving no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned back after Satan.
16 If any faithful man or woman has widows, let them maintain them and let not the church be charged, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.
17 Let the elders that govern well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.
19 Against an elder do not receive an accusation, unless there are two or three witnesses.
20 Those that sin rebuke before all, that the others may also fear.
21 I charge [thee] before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no one, neither be partaker of the sins of others; keep thyself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
24 Some men's sins are manifest beforehand, before they come unto judgment, but to others they follow after.
25 Likewise also the good works [of some] are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.: