^3 (A)Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, ^(B)not slanderers ^(C)or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

^11 (A)Their wives likewise^[a] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, ^(B)faithful in all things.

^3 (A)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be ^(B)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,

⁹ likewise also ^(A)that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, ^10 (B)but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Qualifications for Deacons

^8 (A)Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,^{[a] (B)}not addicted to much wine, ^(C)not greedy for dishonest gain.

⁷ For an overseer,^{[a] (A)}as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not ^(B)be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent ^(C)or greedy for gain,

⁵ She ^(A)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and ^(B)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but ^(C)she who is self-indulgent is ^(D)dead even while she lives. ^7 (E)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for ^(F)members of his household, he has ^(G)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been ^(H)the wife of one husband,^{[a] 10} and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ^(I)shown hospitality, ^(J)has washed the feet of the saints, has ^(K)cared for the afflicted, and has ^(L)devoted herself to every good work.

² that you ^(A)may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.