4
but ifanywidowhaschildrenorgrandchildren, 5they must firstlearn to practicepiety in regard to their ownfamily and to make some return to their parents; for this is 6acceptable in the sight of God.
5
Now she who is a 7widowindeed and who has been leftalone, 8has fixed her hope on God and continues in 9entreaties and prayersnight and day.
6
But she who 10givesherself to wantonpleasure is 11dead even while she lives.
7
12Prescribethesethings as well, so that they may be abovereproach.
8
But ifanyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has 13denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9
A widow is to be 14put on the list only if she is not less than sixtyyears old, having been 15the wife of oneman,
10
having a reputation for 16goodworks; and if she has brought up children, if she has 17shownhospitality to strangers, if she 18has washed the saints'feet, if she has 19assisted those in distress, and if she has devotedherself to everygoodwork.
11
But refuse to put youngerwidows on the list, for when they feel20sensualdesires in disregard of Christ, they want to getmarried,
12
thus incurringcondemnation, because they have setaside their previouspledge.
13
At the sametime they alsolearn to be idle, as they goaround from house to house; and not merelyidle, but also21gossips and 22busybodies, talking about 23things not proper to mention.
14
Therefore, I wantyounger widows to get24married, bearchildren, 25keephouse, and 26give the enemynooccasion for reproach;
15
for some27have alreadyturnedaside to follow28Satan.
16
Ifanywoman who is a believer29has dependent widows, she must 30assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assistthose who are 31widowsindeed.
Concerning Elders
1732The elders who 33rulewell are to be consideredworthy of doublehonor, especiallythose who 34workhard at preaching and teaching.
18
For the Scripturesays, "35YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "36The laborer is worthy of his wages."
19
Do not receive an accusationagainst an 37elderexcept* on the basis of 38twoorthreewitnesses.
20
Those who continue in sin, 39rebuke in the presence of all, 40so that the restalso will be fearful of sinning.
21
41I solemnlycharge you in the presence of God and of ChristJesus and of His chosenangels, to maintainthese principles withoutbias, doingnothing in a spirit of partiality.
22
42Do not layhands upon anyone too hastily and therebyshare43responsibility for the sins of others; keepyourselffree from sin.
23
Nolongerdrinkwater exclusively, but 44use a littlewine for the sake of your stomach and your frequentailments.
24
The sins of somemen are quiteevident, goingbefore them to judgment; for others, their sins 45followafter.
25
Likewisealso, deeds that are good are quiteevident, and 46those which are otherwisecannot* be concealed.