1 Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:

2 To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.

3 Give honour to widows who are truly widows.

4 But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

5 Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.

6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.

7 Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.

8 If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.

9 Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,

10 And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

11 But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;

12 And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;

13 And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.

14 So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,

15 For even now some are turned away to Satan.

16 If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.

17 Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

18 For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

19 Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.

20 Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.

21 I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.

22 Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.

23 Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.

24 The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them.

25 In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.

1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 These things also command, that they may be without reproach. 8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. 11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going 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 widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: 15 for already some are turned aside after Satan. 16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21 I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after. 25 In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.