Study Desk

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.

Support^[a] widows^(a) who are genuinely widows.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God^(b) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;

however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^(c)

Command this also, so they won't be blamed.

But if anyone does not provide^(d) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith^(e) and is worse than an unbeliever.

No widow should be placed on the official support list^[b] unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband,

and is well known for good works^(f)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(g) washed the saints' feet,^(h) helped the afflicted,⁽ⁱ⁾ and devoted herself to every good work.^(j)

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^(k)

and will therefore receive condemnation^(l) because they have renounced their original pledge.

At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(m) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say.

Therefore, I want younger women to marry,⁽ⁿ⁾ have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^(o)

For some have already turned away^(p) to follow Satan.

If any^[c] believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium,^[d] especially those who work hard^(q) at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, ^(r)[e] and, the worker is worthy of his wages. ^(s)

Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.^(t)

Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe^(u) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

Don't be too quick to appoint^[f](v) anyone as an elder, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.^(w)

Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment,^(x) but the sins of others surface^[g] later.

Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.