1 | Rebuke not an elder , but intreat [him] as a father ; [and] the younger men as brethren ; |
2 | The elder women as mothers ; the younger as sisters , with all purity . |
3 | Honour widows that are widows indeed . |
4 | But if any widow have children or nephews , let them learn first to shew piety at home , and to requite their parents : for that is good and acceptable before God . |
5 | Now she that is a widow indeed , and desolate , trusteth in God , and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day . |
6 | But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth . |
7 | And these things give in charge , that they may be blameless . |
8 | But if any provide not for his own , and specially for those of his own house , he hath denied the faith , and is worse than an infidel . |
9 | Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old , having been the wife of one man , |
10 | Well reported of for good works ; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers , if she have washed the saints ' feet , if she have relieved the afflicted , if she have diligently followed every good work . |
11 | But the younger widows refuse : for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ , they will marry ; |
12 | Having damnation , because they have cast off their first faith . |
13 | And withal they learn [to be] idle , wandering about from house to house ; and not only idle , but tattlers also and busybodies , speaking things which they ought not . |
14 | I will therefore that the younger women marry , bear children , guide the house , give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully . |
15 | For some are already turned aside after Satan . |
16 | If any man or woman that believeth have widows , let them relieve them , and let not the church be charged ; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed . |
17 | Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour , especially they who labour in the word and doctrine . |
18 | For the scripture saith , Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn . And , The labourer [is] worthy of his reward . |
19 | Against an elder receive not an accusation , but before two or three witnesses . |
20 | Them that sin rebuke before all , that others also may fear . |
21 | I charge [thee] before God , and the Lord Jesus Christ , and the elect angels , that thou observe these things without preferring one before another , doing nothing by partiality . |
22 | Lay hands suddenly on no man , neither be partaker of other men's sins : keep thyself pure . |
23 | Drink no longer water , but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities . |
24 | Some men's sins are open beforehand , going before to judgment ; and some [men] they follow after . |
25 | Likewise also the good works [of some] are manifest beforehand ; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid . |