VIN(i)
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Support the widows who are truly in need.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to demonstrate piety in their own household by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing to God.
5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
6 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7 Continue to give these instructions, so that they may be blameless.
8 If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old, the wife of one husband,
10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
11 As for younger widows, do not enroll them; because whenever they are controlled by sensual desires rather than by Christ, they want to marry,
12 thus incurring condemnation because they have broken their former pledge.
13 Besides, they learn to be idle, going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their homes, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach.
15 For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.
16 If any woman that believes has widows in her family, let her help them and let not the church be burdened, so that it may help those that are indeed widows.
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is treading out the grain," and the workman deserves his wages.
19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported "by two or three witnesses."
20 Those who are guilty reprove in public, so that others may be warned.
21 I charge you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, doing nothing out of favoritism.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water; use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.
24 The sins of some men are obvious, leading the way into judgment, while those of others trail behind.
25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.