¹Don’t rebuke an older man , but exhort him as a father ; the younger men as brothers;

²the elder women as mothers ; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

³Honour widows who are widows indeed .

⁴But if any widow has children or grandchildren , let them learn first to show piety towards their own family and to repay their parents , for this is acceptable in the sight of God .[#5:4 TR adds “good and”]

⁵Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate , has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day .

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

⁷Also command these things , that they may be without reproach.

⁸But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own , and especially his own household , he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old , having been the wife of one man ,

¹⁰being approved by good works , if she has brought up children , if she has been hospitable to strangers , if she has washed the saints’ feet , if she has relieved the afflicted , and if she has diligently followed every good work .

¹¹But refuse younger widows , for when they have grown wanton against Christ , they desire to marry ,

¹²having condemnation , because they have rejected their first pledge .

¹³Besides , they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house . Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies , saying things which they ought not .

¹⁴I desire therefore that the younger widows marry , bear children , rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

¹⁵For already some have turned away after Satan .

¹⁶If any man or woman who believes has widows , let them relieve them , and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed .

¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour , especially those who labour in the word and in teaching .

¹⁸For the Scripture says , “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And , “ The labourer is worthy of his wages .”[#Deuteronomy 25:4; #Luke 10:7; Leviticus 19:13]

¹⁹Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses .

²⁰Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all , that the rest also may be in fear .

²¹I command you in the sight of God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice , doing nothing by partiality .

²²Lay hands hastily on no one . Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

²³Be no longer a drinker of water only , but use a little wine for your stomach ’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

²⁴Some men ’s sins are evident , preceding them to judgement, and some also follow later.

²⁵In the same way also there are good works that are obvious , and those that are otherwise can ’t be hidden .