1 ALev 19:32Do not sharply rebuke an BTitus 2:2older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to CTitus 2:6the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are AActs 6:1; 9:39, 41; 1 Tim 5:5, 16widows indeed; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, AEph 6:2they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to 1Lit give back recompensesmake some return to their parents; for this is B1 Tim 2:3acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a AActs 6:1; 9:39, 41; 1 Tim 5:3, 16widow indeed and who has been left alone, B1 Cor 7:34; 1 Pet 3:5has fixed her hope on God and continues in CLuke 2:37; 1 Tim 2:1; 2 Tim 1:3entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who AJames 5:5gives herself to wanton pleasure is BLuke 15:24; 2 Tim 3:6; Rev 3:1dead even while she lives. 7 1Or Keep commandingA1 Tim 4:11Prescribe 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 A2 Tim 2:12; Titus 1:16; 2 Pet 2:1; Jude 4denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 A widow is to be A1 Tim 5:16put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been B1 Tim 3:2the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for AActs 9:36; 1 Tim 6:18; Titus 2:7; 3:8; 1 Pet 2:12good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has B1 Tim 3:2shown hospitality to strangers, if she CLuke 7:44; John 13:14has washed the 1Or holy onessaints’ feet, if she has D1 Tim 5:16assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel ARev 18:7sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous 1Lit faithpledge. 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 A3 John 10gossips and B2 Thess 3:11busybodies, talking about CTitus 1:11things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get A1 Cor 7:9; 1 Tim 4:3married, bear children, BTitus 2:5keep house, and C1 Tim 6:1give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15 for some A1 Tim 1:20have already turned aside to follow BMatt 4:10Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer A1 Tim 5:4has dependent widows, she must B1 Tim 5:10assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are C1 Tim 5:3widows indeed.

17 AActs 11:30; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:19The elders who BRom 12:8rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who C1 Thess 5:12work hard 1Lit in wordat preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “ADeut 25:4; 1 Cor 9:9Yoᴜ sʜᴀʟʟ ɴoᴛ ᴍᴜzzʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ox wʜɪʟᴇ ʜᴇ ɪs ᴛʜʀᴇsʜɪɴɢ,” and “BLev 19:13; Deut 24:15; Matt 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Cor 9:14The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an AActs 11:30; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:17elder except on the basis of BDeut 17:6; 19:15; Matt 18:16two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, AGal 2:14; Eph 5:11; 2 Tim 4:2rebuke in the presence of all, B2 Cor 7:11so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 ALuke 9:26; 1 Tim 6:13; 2 Tim 2:14; 4:1I solemnly charge 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 A1 Tim 3:10; 4:14Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and 1Lit do not sharethereby share BEph 5:11; 1 Tim 3:2-7responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself 2Lit purefree from sin.

23 No longer drink water exclusively, but A1 Tim 3:8use 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 ARev 14:13follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and AProv 10:9those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.