1 Rebuke not an aged man, but entreat him as a father, the younger men as brothers,
2 the aged women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3 Support the widows who are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow has children or relatives, let them learn first to support their family and to make returns to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5 But one that is a widow indeed and alone hopes in God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day;
6 but a woman that lives voluptuously is dead while she lives.
7 And command these things, that they be blameless.
8 And if any one provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let not a widow be enrolled under sixty years of age, a wife of one husband,
10 well reputed for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the distressed, if she has pursued every good work.
11 But reject the younger widows; for when they fall into pleasure to the neglect of Christ, they wish to marry,
12 being condemned because they have rejected the first faith;
13 and at the same time also, being idle, they learn to go from house to house, and not only are they idle, they are also tattlers and mischief makers, saying what they ought not.
14 I wish therefore the younger women to marry, bear children, keep house, give no occasion of reproach to the enemy;
15 for some have already turned back after Satan.
16 If any faithful man or faithful woman has widows, let them give them relief, and let not the church be burdened, that it may be able to relieve those really widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of a double compensation, especially those who labor in word and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except by two or three witnesses.
20 Those that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21 I charge you before God, and Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither partake of others' sins. Keep yourself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine on account of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.
24 The sins of some men are manifest, going before to judgment; but some they follow;
25 in like manner also good works are manifest, and those which are otherwise cannot be hid.