1 Do not rebuke an older man, but entreat him as a father, the younger men as brothers,
2 the older women as mothers and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows if they are really widows.
4 If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to act piously toward their own family and to repay what they owe to their parents and grandparents. For this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 A real widow who is left alone has set her hope on God and devotes herself to prayers and supplications night and day.
6 But the pleasure-loving widow, though living, is already dead.
7 Give these commands that they may be free from reproach.
8 If any one does not provide for his own, and especially those of his own household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 A widow is to be put on the list if she has reached the age of not less than sixty years, if she has been true to one husband,
10 has a reputation for good deeds, has brought up children, has entertained strangers, has washed the feet of the holy, has ministered to people in distress, has been active in every good work.
11 But younger widows refuse, for when wanton desires lead them away from Christ they wish to marry
12 and thus they incur condemnation for breaking their first promise.
13 At the same time they learn to be idle, going around from house to house, and not only idle, but gossips, and busybodies, saying what they should not.
14 I would, therefore, have the younger widows marry, bear children, keep house, give no occasion to our enemies for slander.
15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.
16 If any woman who is a believer has widows, she must provide for them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may provide for those who are really widows.
17 The elders who preside well should be thought worthy of double salary, especially those who labor in speaking and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is treading out the grain," and the workman deserves his wages.
19 Against an elder do not receive an accusation unless on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 Those who are going on in sin rebuke before all, that the rest may fear.
21 I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels to observe these directions without prejudice, doing nothing through partiality.
22 Do not lay hands of ordination upon any one hastily. Have no share in the sins of other men. Keep yourself pure.
23 Do not keep on being a water-drinker, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and because of your frequent ailments.
24 Some men's sins are conspicuous and go on before to condemnation, but the sins of some men follow after them.
25 Just so noble deeds are conspicuous and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.