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Honor Widows

^1 (C1)Do not sharply rebuke an ^(C2)older man, but rather plead with him as a father, to ^(C3)the younger men as brothers,² the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are ^(C1)widows indeed,⁴ but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ^(C1)they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to ^(F1)make some return to their parents; for this is ^(C2)acceptable in the sight of God.⁵ Now she who is a ^(C1)widow indeed and who has been left alone, ^(C2)has fixed her hope on God and continues in ^(C3)petitions and prayers night and day.⁶ But she who ^(C1)lives in self-indulgence is ^(C2)dead even while she lives.^7 (C1)And command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has ^(C1)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ A widow is to be ^(C1)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been ^(C2)the wife of one man,¹⁰ having a reputation for ^(C1)good works; if she has brought up children, if she has ^(C2)shown hospitality to strangers, if she ^(C3)has washed the ^(F1)saints' feet, if she has ^(C4)assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work.¹¹ But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel ^(C1)sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,¹² thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous ^(F1)pledge.¹³ And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house. And not merely idle, but also ^(C1)gossips and ^(C2)busybodies, talking about ^(C3)things not proper to mention.¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger widows to get ^(C1)married, bear children, ^(C2)keep house, and ^(C3)give the enemy no opportunity for reviling,¹⁵ for some ^(C1)have already turned aside after ^(C2)Satan.¹⁶ If any believing woman ^(C1)has widows, she must ^(C2)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are ^(C3)widows indeed.

Honoring the Elders

^17 (C1)The elders who ^(C2)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who ^(C3)labor ^(F1)at preaching the word and teaching.¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "^(C1)YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING," and "^(C2)THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS WAGES."¹⁹ Do not receive an accusation against an ^(C1)elder except on the basis of ^(C2)two or three witnesses.²⁰ Those who continue in sin, ^(C1)reprove in the presence of all, ^(C2)so that the rest also will be fearful.^21 (C1)I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His elect angels, to observe these instructions without bias, doing nothing in partiality.^22 (C1)Do not lay hands upon anyone hastily and ^(F1)thereby share ^(C2)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

²³ No longer drink water only, but ^(C1)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

²⁴ The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins ^(C1)follow after.²⁵ So also good works are quite evident, and ^(C1)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.