¹ Do not sharply rebuke an elder, but exhort as a father, and the younger ones as brothers,

² older 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 first learn to be godly to their own house, and give back to their forebears what is due them; for that is good and pleasing before God.

⁵ But she being really a widow, and having been left alone, trusts on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

⁶ But she who lives in self-pleasure has died while living.

⁷ And command these things so that they may be blameless.

⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Do not let a widow be enrolled under sixty years old, the wife of one man,

¹⁰ well reported of for good works: if she brought up children, if she lodged strangers, if she washed the feet of the saints, if she relieved the afflicted, if she followed after every good work.

¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for whenever they grow lustful against Christ, they desire to marry;

¹² having guilt because they have cast off the first faith.

¹³ And with it all they also learn to be idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things they ought not.

¹⁴ Therefore I want the younger ones to marry, bear children, guide the house, giving no occasion to the adversary because of reproach.

¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan.

¹⁶ If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be charged, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and doctrine.

¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox treading out grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his reward."

¹⁹ Do not receive an accusation against an elder except before two or three witnesses.

²⁰ Those who sin, rebuke before all, so that the rest also may fear.

²¹ I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you guard these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

²² Do not lay hands quickly on anyone, neither be partaker of the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Drink water no longer, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake, and for your many infirmities.

²⁴ Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment. And some follow after.

²⁵ Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and those otherwise cannot be hidden.