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¹ Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

The Support of Widows

³ Support^(F1) widows^(C1) who are genuinely in need. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. ⁵ The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God^(C1) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; ⁶ however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^{(C1) 7} Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide^(C1) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith^(C2) and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for good works^(C1)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(C2) washed the saints’ feet,^(C3) helped the afflicted,^(C4) and devoted herself to every good work.^{(C5) 11} But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^{(C1) 12} and will therefore receive condemnation^(C1) because they have renounced their original pledge. ¹³ At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(C1) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger women to marry,^(C1) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^{(C2) 15} For some have already turned away^(C1) to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any^(F1) believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.

Honoring the Elders

¹⁷ The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,^(F1) especially those who work hard^(C1) at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,^(F1)(C1) and “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

¹⁹ Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.^{(C1) 20} Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. ²¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe^(C1) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. ²² Don’t be too quick to appoint^(F1)(C1) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.^{(C2) 23} Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. ²⁴ Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,^(C1) but the sins of others surface^(F1) later. ²⁵ Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.