1 Never reprove an older man, but always appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men like brothers, 2 older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, with perfect purity.
3 Always care for widows who are really dependent. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in the treatment of their own families, and to pay the debt they owe their parents or grandparents, for this is acceptable to God. 5 But a woman who is really a widow and lives alone has fixed her hope on God, and night and day devotes herself to prayers and entreaties, 6 while a widow who gives herself up to luxury is really dead though still alive. 7 Continue to give these directions so that the people may be without reproach. 8 Whoever fails to provide for his own relatives, and especially for those of his immediate family, has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow under sixty years of age should be put on this roll. A widow must have had but one husband, 10 must have a reputation for doing good deeds, as bringing up children, being hospitable to strangers, washing the feet of God's people, helping people in distress, or devoting herself to any sort of doing good. 11 Keep the young widows off this roll, for when they get to indulging their lower nature in opposition to Christ, they want to marry, 12 and so deserve censure for breaking their previous pledge. 13 Besides, as they get the habit of gadding about from house to house, they learn to be idle, and not only idle but gossips and busybodies, talking of things they ought not to mention. 14 So I would have the younger women marry, have children, and keep house, so as not to give our opponents any occasion for slander. 15 For some widows have already turned aside to follow Satan. 16 If a Christian woman has widowed relatives, she should help them, and let the church be free from the burden, so that it can help the widows who are really dependent.
17 Elders who do their duties well should be considered as deserving twice the salary they get especially those who keep on toiling in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain," and, "The workman deserves his pay."
19 Make it a rule not to consider a charge preferred against an elder, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are guilty reprove in public, so that others may be warned. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, to carry out these instructions without prejudice and with perfect impartiality. 22 Make it a rule not to ordain anyone in haste, and not to be responsible for the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 Stop drinking water only, but take a little wine to strengthen your stomach and relieve its frequent attacks. 24 Some men's sins are very evident and clearly lead them on to judgment, but the sins of others lag behind. 25 Good deeds, too, are usually very evident, and if they are not, they cannot be completely concealed.