BLB(i)
1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; younger men as brothers;
2 elder women as mothers; and younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to be devout first to the own household and to give recompense to parents; for this is pleasing before God.
5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and being left alone, has hope in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she living in self-indulgence is dead while living.
7 Also command these things, so that they should be above reproach.
8 Now if anyone does not provide for the own, and especially his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled, being not less than sixty years old, the wife of one man,
10 being borne witness to in good works: if she has brought up children, if she has entertained strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has imparted relief to those being oppressed, if she has followed after every good work.
11 But refuse younger widows; for when they might grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 incurring judgment, because they have cast off the first faith.
13 And at the same time also, going about house to house, they learn to be idle; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things not being proper.
14 Therefore I want the younger ones to marry, to bear children, to manage their households, to give the one opposing no occasion on account of reproach.
15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.
16 If any believing woman has dependent widows, let her impart relief to them, and let the church not be burdened, so that it may impart relief to those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders ruling well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in the word and the teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain,” and, “The workman is worthy of his wages.”
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except upon two or three witnesses.
20 But those sinning, rebuke before all, so that the rest might have fear as well.
21 I earnestly testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels that you should keep these things apart from prejudice, doing nothing out of partiality.
22 Lay hands on no one hastily, nor share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine, because of the stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some men are manifest, going before them to judgment; but of some also they appear later.
25 Likewise also, the good works are evident, and even those being otherwise are unable to be concealed.