³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.^[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good.

⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,

¹¹ In the same way, their wives^[a] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

³ Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. ⁴ You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. ⁵ This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.

⁹ And I want women to be modest in their appearance.^[a] They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. ¹⁰ For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

⁷ A church leader^[a] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,^[b] violent, or dishonest with money.

⁵ Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. ⁶ But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. ⁷ Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism.

⁸ But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

⁹ A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband.^{[a] 10} She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly?^[b] Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

⁸ In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

² Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

³ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.