aDo not sharply rebuke
an bolder
man
, but rather appeal
to him as a father
, to cthe younger
men
as brothers
,
the older women
as mothers
, and the younger
women
as sisters
, in all
purity
.
Honor widows
who are awidows
indeed
;
but if any
widow
has
children
or
grandchildren
, athey must first
learn
to practice
piety
in regard to their own
family
and to 1make
some return
to their parents
; for this
is bacceptable
in the sight
of God
.
Now she who is a awidow
indeed
and who has been left
alone
, bhas fixed
her hope
on God
and continues
in centreaties
and prayers
night
and day
.
But she who agives herself
to wanton
pleasure
is bdead
even while she lives
.
1 aPrescribe these
things
as well
, so
that they may be above
reproach
.
But if anyone
does not provide
for his own
, and especially
for those of his household
, he has adenied
the faith
and is worse
than an unbeliever
.
A widow is to be aput
on the list
only if she is not less
than sixty
years
old, having been bthe wife
of one
man
,
having a reputation
for agood
works
; and if
she has brought
up children
, if
she has bshown
hospitality
to strangers
, if
she chas washed
the 1saints'
feet
, if
she has dassisted
those in distress
, and if
she has devoted
herself
to every
good
work
.
But refuse to put younger
widows
on the list, for when
they feel
asensual
desires
in disregard
of Christ
, they want
to get
married
,
thus incurring condemnation
, because
they have set
aside
their previous
1pledge
.
At the same time
they also
learn
to be idle
, as they go
around
from house
to house
; and not merely
idle
, but also
agossips
and bbusybodies
, talking
about cthings
not proper
to mention.
Therefore, I want
younger
widows to get
amarried
, bear
children
, bkeep
house
, and cgive
the enemy
no
occasion
for reproach
;
for some ahave already
turned
aside
to follow
bSatan
.
If any
woman
who is a believer
ahas
dependent widows
, she must bassist
them and the church
must not be burdened
, so
that it may assist
those
who are cwidows
indeed
.
aThe elders who brule
well
are to be considered
worthy
of double
honor
, especially
those
who cwork
hard
1at preaching
and teaching
.
For the Scripture says
, " aYOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE
THE OX
WHILE HE IS THRESHING
," and " bThe laborer
is worthy
of his wages
."
Do not receive an accusation
against
an aelder
except
on the basis
of btwo
or
three
witnesses
.
Those who continue in sin
, arebuke
in the presence
of all
, bso
that the rest
also
will be fearful
of sinning.
aI solemnly charge
you in the presence
of God
and of Christ
Jesus
and of His chosen
angels
, to maintain
these
principles without
bias
, doing
nothing
in a spirit of partiality
.
aDo not lay hands
upon anyone
too hastily
and 1thereby
share
bresponsibility for the sins
of others
; keep
yourself
2free
from sin
.
No longer
drink
water
exclusively, but ause
a little
wine
for the sake
of your stomach
and your frequent
ailments
.
The sins of some
men
are quite
evident
, going
before
them to judgment
; for others
, their sins afollow
after
.
Likewise also
, deeds
that are good
are quite
evident
, and athose
which are otherwise
cannot
be concealed
.