Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;
the older women as mothers; the younger women as sisters—with all purity.
Honor widows who are truly widows.
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness toward their own family and repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Now the one who is truly a widow—the one who has been left with no one—has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
But she who lives for pleasure is dead while she lives.
And command these things, so that they will be above reproach.
But if anyone does not provide for his own family, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
No widow is to be added to the list of widows unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one man,
has a reputation for good works; if she has raised children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has cared for the afflicted, and if she has devoted herself to all kinds of good works.
But refuse younger widows, because when they have sensual desires that draw them away from their dedicationto Christ, they desire to marry,
and thus incur judgment because they have rejected their former pledge.
And at the same time, they also learn to be idle, going around from house to house, and they are not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not say.
Therefore, I want younger widows to marry, bear children, manage the household, and give the Opposer no opportunity for slanderous insults,
for some have already turned away to follow the Adversary.
If any woman who is a believer has widows in her household who need help, let her care for them, and do not let the church be burdened, so that it can care for those who are truly widows.
Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in proclaiming the word and in teaching.
For the Scripture says, Do not muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain. And, The worker is worthy of his wages.
Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
Those who persist in sin, reprove in front of everyone, so that the rest will also be afraid of the consequences.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
Do not be hasty to lay hands on anyone and thus share responsibility for the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Do not continue to drink only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach issues and your frequent illnesses.
The sins of some people are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them, but with some people they are revealed later.
In the same way, there are also good works that are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.