¹⁷ The elders who lead the church well should receive ·double honor [or both honor and remuneration; ^Cprobably includes both respect and financial support; see v. 3], especially those who work hard by ·speaking [preaching] and teaching, ¹⁸ because the Scripture says: “When an ox is ·working in the grain [threshing], do not ·cover its mouth to keep it from eating [muzzle it; Deut. 25:4],” and “A worker ·should be given his pay [deserves his wages; ^Tis worthy of his hire; Luke 10:7].”

¹⁹ Do not listen to someone who accuses an elder, without two or three witnesses [Deut. 19:15].