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Honor Widows

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

³ Honor widows who are actually ^(C1)widows;⁴ but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ^(C1)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is ^(C2)acceptable in the sight of God.⁵ Now she who is actually a ^(C1)widow and has been left alone ^(C2)has set her hope on God, and she continues in ^(C3)requests and prayers night and day.⁶ But she who ^(C1)indulges herself in luxury is ^(C2)dead, even while she lives.^7 (F1)(C1)Give these instructions 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; and 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 distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.¹¹ But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel ^(C1)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married,¹² thereby incurring condemnation, because they have ^(F1)ignored their previous pledge.¹³ At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become ^(C1)gossips and ^(C2)busybodies, talking about ^(C3)things not proper to mention.¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger widows to get ^(C1)married, have children, ^(C2)manage their households, and ^(C3)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach;¹⁵ for some ^(C1)have already turned away to follow ^(C2)Satan.¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer ^(C1)has dependent widows, she must ^(C2)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually ^(C3)widows.

Concerning Elders

^17 (C1)The elders who ^(C2)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who ^(C3)work hard ^(F1)at preaching 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 accept an accusation against an ^(C1)elder except on the basis of ^(C2)two or three witnesses.²⁰ Those who continue in sin, ^(C1)rebuke in the presence of all, ^(C2)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.^21 (C1)I solemnly exhort 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.^22 (C1)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and ^(F1)thereby share ^(C2)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself ^(F2)free from sin.

²³ Do not go on drinking only water, but ^(C1)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

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