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*5:4 TR adds "good and" 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."✝5:18 Deuteronomy 25:4 And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."✝5:18 Luke 10:7; Leviticus 19:13

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 Vana mehega ära kurjusta, vaid manitse teda nagu oma isa, nooremaid mehi kohtle nagu vendi. 2 Vanemaid naisi kohtle nagu ema, nooremaid nagu õdesid – kõiges meelepuhtuses.

3 Toeta lesknaisi, kes on tõesti ilma toitjata. 4 Aga kui kellelgi lesel on lapsi või lapselapsi, siis need õppigu kõigepealt lugupidamist oma perekonna vastu ning tasuma võlga oma vanematele ja vanavanematele, sest see on Jumalale meelepärane. 5 Aga lesk, kes on tõesti puuduses ja üksik, paneb oma lootuse Jumala peale, ta palvetab ööd ja päevad, paludes Jumalalt abi. 6 Aga kes elab naudingutes, on juba elusalt surnud. 7 Anna inimestele need juhised, et keegi ei saaks midagi ette heita. 8 Aga inimene, kes ei hoolitse oma sugulaste eest, eriti perekonna eest, on oma usu maha salanud ja on hullem kui uskmatu.

9 Leskede hulka arvatagu need, kes on vähemalt kuuekümneaastased ja olnud truud oma mehele 10 ja kes on tuntud heade tegude poolest: nad on üles kasvatanud lapsi, olnud külalislahked, pesnud Jumala rahva jalgu, abistanud hädalisi ja pühendanud end mitmesugustele muudele headele tegudele.

11 Nooremaid leski ära arvele võta. Kui meelelised ihad neid Kristusest eemale kisuvad, tahavad nad abielluda 12 ja teenivad ära karistuse, rikkudes varem antud tõotust. 13 Pealegi õpivad nad majast majja luusides laisklema. Ja mitte ainult laisklema, vaid ka keelt peksma ja teiste ellu sekkuma, rääkides asju, mida ei tohiks. 14 Nii ma soovitan noorematel leskedel minna mehele, sünnitada lapsi, hoolitseda oma kodu eest ja mitte anda meie vastastele põhjust laimamiseks. 15 Sest mõned ongi juba end saatana poole pööranud.

16 Kui siis usklikul naisel on tema hoole all leseks jäänud sugulasi, peab ta jätkama nende abistamist ja mitte koormama kogudust, et kogudus võiks abistada leski, kes tõesti abi vajavad.

17 Vanemad, kes kogudust hästi juhatavad, on kahekordse tasu väärilised, eriti need, kelle töö on kuulutamine ja õpetamine. 18 Sest Pühakiri ütleb: „Ära seo kinni pahmast tallava härja suud!" ja „Töötegija on oma palka väärt!"

19 Kogudusevanema vastu süüdistust ära võta kuulda muidu, kui selle esitavad kaks või kolm tunnistajat. 20 Aga neid vanemaid, kes pattu teevad, kutsu korrale kõigi ees, et ka teised kardaksid. 21 Ma vannutan sind Jumala, Jeesuse Kristuse ja valitud inglite ees, et sa järgiksid neid juhiseid kedagi eelistamata ega teeks midagi erapoolikult.

22 Ära kiirusta käte pealepanemisega ja ära võta osa teiste inimeste pattudest. Hoia end puhtana!

23 Ära joo enam ainult vett, vaid tarvita pisut veini oma kõhuhädade ja sagedaste põdemiste pärast.

24 Mõne inimese patud on kohe nähtavad ja jõuavad kohtusse nende ees, aga mõne patud jälitavad neid. 25 Samuti on nähtavad head teod, aga ka need, mis pole nähtavad, ei jää igavesti varju.