1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3Honor widows who are truly widows.
4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness toward their own household and to give back recompense to their forebears; for this is acceptable before God.
5Now she who is truly a widow and left alone has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day;
6but she who lives in self-indulgence is dead even while she lives.
7Command these things as well, so that they may be beyond reproach.
8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9Let a widow be enrolled who is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband,
10well attested by good works: if she has raised children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has helped the afflicted, if she has devoted herself to every good work.
11But refuse younger widows; for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they want to marry,
12incurring judgment because they have set aside their first pledge;
13and at the same time they also learn to be idle, going around from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not.
14So I want the younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage their households, to give the adversary no occasion for reviling;
15for some have already turned aside after Satan.
16If any believing woman has widows, let her help them, and let the church not be burdened, so that it may help those who are truly widows.
17Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.
18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
19Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
20Rebuke those who sin in the presence of all, so that the rest may also have fear.
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these things without prejudgment, doing nothing out of partiality.
22Do not lay hands hastily on anyone, nor share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24The sins of some people are quite evident, going ahead of them into judgment, but for some they also follow after.
25Likewise also the good works are quite evident, and even those that are otherwise cannot remain hidden.
Open in the interactive reader →