| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Support widows who are genuinely widows. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Command this also, so they won't be blamed. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9No widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10and is well known for good works--that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15For some have already turned away to follow Satan. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, the worker is worthy of his wages. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Don't be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden. |
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