Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been (A)the wife of one husband,[a] 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has (B)shown hospitality, (C)has washed the feet of the saints, has (D)cared for the afflicted, and has (E)devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when (F)their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also (G)gossips and (H)busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have (I)younger widows marry, bear children, (J)manage their households, and (K)give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 (L)For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those (M)who are truly widows.

17 Let the elders (N)who rule well be considered worthy of (O)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, (P)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, (Q)“The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except (R)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, (S)rebuke them in the presence of all, (T)so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels (U)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, (V)doing nothing from partiality. 22 (W)Do not be hasty in the (X)laying on of hands, nor (Y)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but (Z)use a little wine (AA)for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and (AB)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

(AC)Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants[b] regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, (AD)so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are (AE)brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teachers and True Contentment

(AF)Teach and urge these things.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:9 Or a woman of one man
  2. 1 Timothy 6:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

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