Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,
older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
Honor widows who are truly widows.
If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and repaying their parents; for this is pleasing to God.
She who is truly a widow, and left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
But she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
Charge the younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage their households, and to give no opportunity to the adversary for slander.
For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
When they learn to be idle, going about from house to house, they become gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to say.
So I want the younger widows to marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
For already some have turned aside after Satan.
If any believer or widow has relatives who are dependent on them, let them first learn to show godliness toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is pleasing to God.
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves to be paid.”
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear.
Honor widows who are really in need.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should first learn to show godliness to their own family and to repay their parents; for this is pleasing to God.
The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
But the one who lives for pleasure is dead while alive.
Do not admit a younger widow into the number, for when she has grown wanton against Christ, she wants to get married,
and so incurs condemnation for having abandoned her previous pledge.
Besides that, they learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
So I advise younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their households, and to give the adversary no occasion for slander.
Some have already strayed after Satan.
When you put someone in charge, do not remain neutral but keep watch over them closely.
Give no opportunity to the devil.
Everyone should respect the elders, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his wages.”
Never accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
If an elder is guilty of sin, rebuke him in front of everyone so that the rest may be afraid.
Do not be harsh on the elderly, but encourage the young to be self-controlled.
Some people’s sins are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; others appear later.
In the same way, good works are obvious, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
This is the Patristics text that appears when you select Patristics.
