Duties Toward Others
5 Do not rebuke an elder, but exhort him as a father, the younger men as brothers, 2 the elder women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, with complete purity.
3 Honor widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety at home and to repay their parents. For this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any do not care for their own, and especially for those of their own house, they have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers.
9 Do not let a widow be counted unless she is over sixty years old, has been the wife of one man, 10 is well attested in good works, if she has brought up children, has lodged strangers, has washed the saints’ feet, has relieved the afflicted, and has diligently followed every good work.
11 But refuse the younger widows, for when their sensual desires have drawn them away from Christ, they want to marry, 12 and bring judgment on themselves, because they have cast off their first pledge. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idle, and not only idle, wandering around from house to house, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger women marry, bear children, manage the house, and give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let those assist them. Do not let the church be charged, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain,”[a] and, “The laborer is worthy of his reward.”[b] 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except before two or three witnesses. 20 Rebuke in the presence of everyone those who sin, that the rest also may fear. 21 I command you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Do not lay hands suddenly on anyone, and do not partake of other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent illnesses.
24 Some men’s sins are evident, pointing to judgment, but other men’s sins are revealed later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are evident, but those that are not cannot be hidden.