1Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, (利19:32; 多2:6)2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.3Honor widows who are truly widows. (提前5:5; 提前5:16)4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. (创45:9; 太15:4; 可7:10; 弗6:1; 提前2:3)5She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, (路2:37; 路18:1; 提前5:3; 提前5:16)6but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. (结16:49; 雅5:5; 启3:1)7Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. (提前4:11; 提前6:2)8But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (加6:10; 提后3:5; 多1:16; 彼后2:1; 启2:13; 启3:8)9Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,[1] (提前3:2)10and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. (创18:4; 提前5:9; 提前5:16; 提前6:18)11But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry (启18:3; 启18:7; 启18:9)12and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.13Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. (帖后3:11; 彼前4:15; 约三1:10)14So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. (林前7:9; 提前6:1; 多2:5; 多2:8)15For some have already strayed after Satan. (提前1:20)16If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. (提前5:3; 提前5:5)17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (申21:17; 羅12:8; 林前12:28; 帖前5:12)18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (利19:13; 申24:15; 申25:4; 太10:10; 路10:7; 林前9:4; 林前9:7; 林前9:9)19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. (申19:15)20As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (申13:11; 多1:13; 多2:15)21In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. (林后5:16; 提前6:13; 提后2:14; 提后4:1)22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (徒6:6; 提前3:10; 约二1:11)23(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) (诗104:15; 提前3:8)24The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.25So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. (诗37:6; 箴10:9)