³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(A) or addicted to much wine,^(B) but to teach what is good.

⁴ Then they can urge the younger women^(A) to love their husbands and children,

¹¹ In the same way, the women^[a] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^(A) but temperate^(B) and trustworthy in everything.

³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.^{(A) 4} Rather, it should be that of your inner self,^(B) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.^{(C) 5} For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God^(D) used to adorn themselves.^(E) They submitted themselves to their own husbands,

⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{(A) 10} but with good deeds,^(B) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[a](A) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(B) and not pursuing dishonest gain.

⁷ Since an overseer^(A) manages God’s household,^(B) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.^(C)

⁵ The widow who is really in need^(A) and left all alone puts her hope in God^(B) and continues night and day to pray^(C) and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.^{(D) 7} Give the people these instructions,^(E) so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied^(F) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for her good deeds,^(G) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,^(H) washing the feet^(I) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble^(J) and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

² I ask you to receive her in the Lord^(A) in a way worthy of his people^(B) and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.