Rebuke not
an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the
younger men as brethren;
02 The elder women as mothers; the younger as
sisters, with all purity.
03 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
04 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.
05 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate,
trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications
and prayers night and day.
06 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while
she liveth.
07 And these things give in charge, that they may
be blameless.
08 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.
09 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.
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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.
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