| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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