1You may not rebuke an elder, but exhort [him] as a father, younger persons as brothers, 2aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters—in all purity;

3honor widows who are really widows; 4and if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety to their own house, and to give back a repayment to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God. 5And she who is really a widow and desolate, has hoped on God, and remains in the supplications and in the prayers night and day, 6but she given to luxury [while] living has died; 7and charge these things, that they may be blameless; 8and if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of the household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow—do not let her be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband, 10being testified to in good works: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if she washed holy ones’ feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she followed after every good work; 11and be refusing younger widows, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry, 12having judgment, because they cast away the first faith, 13and also at the same time, they learn [to be] idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking things they should not; 14I intend, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer of reviling; 15for some already turned aside after Satan. 16If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the assembly be burdened, that it may relieve those [who are] really widows.

17Let them, the well-leading elders, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in word and teaching, 18for the Writing says, “You will not muzzle an ox treading out,” and, “Worthy [is] the workman of his reward.” 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except on two or three witnesses. 20Reprove those sinning before all, that the others may also have fear;

21I fully testify, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen messengers, that you may keep these things, without prejudging, doing nothing by partiality. 22Be quickly laying hands on no one, nor be having fellowship with [the] sins of others; be keeping yourself pure;

23no longer be drinking water, but be using a little wine, because of your stomach and of your frequent sicknesses;

24the sins of certain men are evident beforehand, leading before to judgment, but some also they follow after; 25in like manner the right works are also evident beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.