1Rebukenot an elder, butintreat him as a father; and the younger menasbrethren;
2
The elder womenasmothers; the youngerassisters, withallpurity.
3Honourwidows that are widowsindeed.
4But if anywidowhavechildrenornephews, let them learnfirst to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: forthatisgoodandacceptablebeforeGod.
5Now she that is a widowindeed, anddesolate, trustethinGod, andcontinuethinsupplicationsandprayersnightandday.
6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7And these things give in charge, that they may beblameless.
8But if anyprovidenot for his own, andspecially for those of his ownhouse, he hath denied the faith, andis worse than an infidel.
9Letnot a widow be taken into the numberunderthreescore years old, having been the wife of oneman,
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Well reported offorgoodworks; 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 followedeverygoodwork.
11But the youngerwidowsrefuse: forwhen they have begun to wax wanton againstChrist, they willmarry;
12Havingdamnation, because they have cast off their firstfaith.
13Andwithal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; andnotonlyidle, buttattlersalsoandbusybodies, speaking things which they oughtnot.
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I willtherefore that the younger womenmarry, bear children, guide the house, givenoneoccasionto the adversaryto speak reproachfully.
15Forsomearealready turned asideafterSatan.
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If anymanor woman thatbelievethhavewidows, letthemrelievethem, andletnot the church be charged; that it may relievethemthat are widowsindeed.
17Let the elders that rulewell be counted worthy of doublehonour, especially they who labourin the wordanddoctrine.
18For the scripturesaith, Thou shaltnotmuzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of hisreward.
19Against an elderreceivenot an accusation, butbeforetwoorthreewitnesses.
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Them thatsinrebukebeforeall, thatothersalsomayfear.
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I charge thee beforeGod, and the LordJesusChrist, and the electangels, that thou observe these thingswithout preferring one beforeanother, doingnothingbypartiality.
22Layhandssuddenlyon no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keepthyselfpure.
23Drink no longerwater, butuse a littlewineforthy stomach's sakeandthineofteninfirmities.
24Some men's sinsare open beforehand, going beforetojudgment; andsome men they follow after.
25Likewisealso the goodworks of some are manifest beforehand; and they that areotherwisecannot be hid.