Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁷ The leaders of the church people who rule well should be given greater honour and reward. At least do this for those who work hard in speaking and teaching.

¹⁸ The holy writings say, `You may not tie the mouth of a cow when it is walking on the grain to beat it out.' And also, `The man who works should be paid for it.'

¹⁹ Do not listen to a complaint against a leader if what he has done has not been seen and proved by two or three people.

²⁰ Talk to those who live a wrong life and tell them to stop it. Talk to them in front of all the church members. Then the others will be afraid to do it.

²¹ I say this before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels of God. Do these things in an honest way. Do not treat one person better than another person.

²² Do not be in a hurry to place your hands on a man as a sign for him to be a leader. Do not take part in the wrong things another man does. Keep yourself clean.

²³ Do not drink water only. But drink a little wine to help your stomach because you are sick so often.

²⁴ The wrong things some men do can be seen clearly and show that they should be punished. But wrong things other people do are not seen until later.