1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,2 older women as mothers, younger ones as sisters, with all purity.3 Honor widows who are truly widows.4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.5 Now she who is truly a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.7 And these things command, that they may be blameless.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 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,10 being well reported of for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,12 having condemnation because they have set aside their first faith.13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary for reproach.15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are truly widows.17 Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and, The laborer is worthy of his wages.19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you keep watch over these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine on account of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

1 Blame thou not an eldere man, but biseche as a fadir, yonge men as britheren; elde wymmen as modris,2 yonge wymmen as sistris, in al chastite.3 Honoure thou widewis, that ben very widewis.4 But if ony widewe hath children of sones, lerne sche first to gouerne her hous, and quyte to fadir and modir; for this thing is acceptid bifor God.5 And sche that is a widewe verili, and desolate, hope in to God, and be bisy in bisechingis and preieris niyt and dai.6 For sche that is lyuynge in delicis, is deed.7 And comaunde thou this thing, that thei be withouten repreef.8 For if ony man hath not cure of his owne, and most of hise household men, he hath denyed the feith, and is worse than an vnfeithful man.9 A widewe be chosun not lesse than sixti yeer, that was wijf of oon hosebonde,10 and hath witnessing in good werkis, if sche nurschede children, if sche resseyuede pore men to herbore, if sche hath waischun the feet of hooli men, if sche mynystride to men that suffriden tribulacioun, if sche folewide al good werk.11 But eschewe thou yongere widewis; for whanne thei han do letcherie, thei wolen be weddid in Crist,12 hauynge dampnacioun, for thei han maad voide the firste feith.13 Also thei idil lernen to go aboute housis, not oneli ydel, but ful of wordis and curiouse, spekynge thingis that bihoueth not.14 Therfor Y wole, that yongere widewis be weddid, and bringe forth children, and ben hosewyues, to yyue noon occasioun to the aduersarie, bi cause of cursid thing.15 For now summe ben turned abak aftir Sathanas.16 If ony feithful man hath widewis, mynystre he to hem, that the chirche be not greuyd, that it suffice to hem that ben very widewis.17 The prestis that ben wel gouernoures, be thei had worthi to double onour; moost thei that trauelen in word and teching.18 For scripture seith, Thou schalt not bridil the mouth of the oxe threischinge, and, A werk man is worthi his hire.19 Nyle thou resseyue accusyng ayens a preest, but vndur tweyne or thre witnessis.20 But reproue thou men that synnen bifor alle men, that also othere haue drede.21 Y preie bifor God, and Jhesu Crist, and hise chosun aungelis, that thou kepe these thingis with oute preiudice, and do no thing in bowynge `in to the othere side.22 Put thou hondis to no man, nether anoon comyne thou with othere mennus synnes. Kepe thi silf chast.23 Nyle thou yit drinke watir, but vse a litil wyn, for thi stomac, and `for thin ofte fallynge infirmytees.24 Sum mennus synnes ben opyn, bifor goynge to dom; but of summen thei comen aftir.25 And also goode dedis ben opyn, and tho that han hem in othere maner, moun not be hid.