. (16)Give
heed to thyself, and to the teaching; continue in them; for in doing
this thou wilt save both thyself, and those who hear thee.

V.

REBUKE not an elder, but entreat him as a father; younger men as
brethren; (2)elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all
purity. (3)Honor as widows those who are widows indeed. (4)But if any
widow has children or grand-children, let these learn first to show
piety to their own household, and to requite their parents, for this
is acceptable before God.

(5)Now she that is a widow indeed, and left alone, has set her hope on
God, and continues in supplications and prayers, night and day. (6)But
she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. (7)And these
things command, that they may be blameless. (8)But if any one provides
not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has
denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

(9)Let not one be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old,
having been the wife of one husband; (10)well reported of for good
works; if she brought up children, if she lodged strangers, if she
washed the feet of the saints, if she relieved the afflicted, if she
diligently followed every good work.

(11)But younger widows refuse; for when they have become wanton
against Christ, they desire to marry; (12)having condemnation, because
they broke their first faith. (13)And at the same time they also learn
to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but
tattlers also and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.

(14)I desire therefore that younger widows marry, bear children, guide
the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
(15)For already, some turned aside after Satan.

(16)If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them,
and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve those who are
widows indeed.

(17)Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor,
especially they who labor in the word and teaching. (18)For the
Scripture says: Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while treading out the
grain; and, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

(19)Against an elder receive not an accusation, except before two or
three witnesses[5:19].

(20)Those who sin rebuke before all, that the rest also may fear.

(21)I charge thee before God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels,
that thou observe these things without prejudging, doing nothing