1Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
3Honor widows who are widows indeed. 4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 6But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 8But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.
11But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15For already some have turned away after Satan. 16If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
19Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
23Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
24Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
1Seniorem ne increpaveris, sed obsecra ut patrem: juvenes, ut fratres: 2anus, ut matres: juvenculas, ut sorores in omni castitate: 3viduas honora, quæ vere viduæ sunt. 4Si qua autem vidua filios, aut nepotes habet: discat primum domum suam regere, et mutuam vicem reddere parentibus: hoc enim acceptum est coram Deo. 5Quæ autem vere vidua est, et desolata, speret in Deum, et instet obsecrationibus, et orationibus nocte ac die. 6Nam quæ in deliciis est, vivens mortua est. 7Et hoc præcipe, ut irreprehensibiles sint. 8Si quis autem suorum, et maxime domesticorum, curam non habet, fidem negavit, et est infideli deterior. 9Vidua eligatur non minus sexaginta annorum, quæ fuerit unius viri uxor, 10in operibus bonis testimonium habens, si filios educavit, si hospitio recepit, si sanctorum pedes lavit, si tribulationem patientibus subministravit, si omne opus bonum subsecuta est. 11Adolescentiores autem viduas devita: cum enim luxuriatæ fuerint in Christo, nubere volunt: 12habentes damnationem, quia primam fidem irritam fecerunt; 13simul autem et otiosæ discunt circuire domos: non solum otiosæ, sed et verbosæ, et curiosæ, loquentes quæ non oportet. 14Volo ergo juniores nubere, filios procreare, matresfamilias esse, nullam occasionem dare adversario maledicti gratia. 15Jam enim quædam conversæ sunt retro Satanam. 16Si quis fidelis habet viduas, subministret illis, et non gravetur ecclesia: ut iis quæ vere viduæ sunt, sufficiat. 17Qui bene præsunt presbyteri, duplici honore digni habeantur: maxime qui laborant in verbo et doctrina. 18Dicit enim Scriptura: Non alligabis os bovi trituranti. Et: Dignus est operarius mercede sua. 19Adversus presbyterum accusationem noli recipere, nisi sub duobus aut tribus testibus. 20Peccantes coram omnibus argue: ut et ceteri timorem habeant. 21Testor coram Deo et Christo Jesu, et electis angelis, ut hæc custodias sine præjudicio, nihil faciens in alteram partem declinando. 22Manus cito nemini imposueris, neque communicaveris peccatis alienis. Teipsum castum custodi. 23Noli adhuc aquam bibere, sed modico vino utere propter stomachum tuum, et frequentes tuas infirmitates. 24Quorumdam hominum peccata manifesta sunt, præcedentia ad judicium: quosdam autem et subsequuntur. 25Similiter et facta bona, manifesta sunt: et quæ aliter se habent, abscondi non possunt.