REBUKE not harshly an aged man, but admonish him as a father; the
younger men as brethren; (2)the aged women as mothers; the younger as
sisters, with all purity. (3)Honour the widows, that are widows indeed.
(4)But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn as
their first duty to shew their piety towards their own family, and make
a grateful return to their progenitors: for this is becoming and
acceptable before God. (5)But she who is a widow indeed, and abandoned
to solitude, hopeth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers
night and day. (6)But she who lives voluptuously is dead, though she
liveth. (7)And these things inculcate, that they may be blameless.
(8)But if any man provide not for his own relations, and especially for
those more immediately of his own family, he hath denied the faith, and
is worse than an infidel.
(9)Let no widow be put on the list under sixty years of age, who hath
been the wife of one husband, (10)bringing attestation of her good
works; that she hath well educated her children, that she hath been
hospitable to strangers, that she hath washed the saints feet, that she
hath assisted the afflicted, that she hath followed diligently every
good work. (11)But the younger widows reject: for when they give
themselves to wantonness contrary to Christ, they will marry;
(12)incurring censure, for having violated their former engagement.
(13)And at the same time also they learn to be idle, visiting about in
the houses; and not merely idle, but talkative and inquisitive,
speaking things they ought not. (14)I would therefore have the younger
widows to marry, bear children, govern their house, give no occasion to
the adversary to bring a reproach on them. (15)For some are already
turned aside after Satan. (16)But if any man or woman who believes hath
widows their relations, let him provide for them, and let not the
church be burdened; that there may be a sufficiency for the real
widows.
(17)Let the elders who preside properly be counted worthy of double
honour, especially those who are laborious in preaching and teaching.
(18)For the Scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he
treadeth out the corn[119]." And again, "The labourer is worthy of his
hire."
(19)Against a presbyter receive not an accusation, except it be from
two or three witnesses. (20)Those who sin rebuke before all, that the
rest also may tremble.
(21)I adjure thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect
angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing
by partiality.
(22)Lay hands hastily on no man, nor share another's sins: keep thyself
pure; (23)confine thyself no longer to water-drinking; but use a little
wine for thy stomach's sake, and thy frequent indispositions. (24)Some
men's sins are glaringly manifest, going before to judgment; and after
others also they follow _to detection_. (25)In like manner also the
good works _of some_ are previously manifest; and it is not possible
that what they have besides should be concealed.