1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
1 seniorem ne increpaveris sed obsecra ut patrem iuvenes ut fratres
2 anus ut matres iuvenculas ut sorores in omni castitate
3 viduas honora quae vere viduae sunt
4 si qua autem vidua filios aut nepotes habet
discant primum domum suam regere
et mutuam vicem reddere parentibus
hoc enim acceptum est coram Deo
5 quae autem vere vidua est et desolata
speravit in Deum
et instat obsecrationibus et orationibus nocte ac die
6 nam quae in deliciis est vivens mortua est
7 et hoc praecipe ut inreprehensibiles sint
8 si quis autem suorum et maxime domesticorum curam non habet
fidem negavit et est infideli deterior
9 vidua eligatur non minus sexaginta annorum
quae fuerit unius viri uxor
10 in operibus bonis testimonium habens
si filios educavit si hospitio recepit si sanctorum pedes lavit
si tribulationem patientibus subministravit
si omne opus bonum subsecuta est
11 adulescentiores autem viduas devita
cum enim luxuriatae fuerint in Christo nubere volunt
12 habentes damnationem quia primam fidem irritam fecerunt
13 simul autem et otiosae discunt circumire domos
non solum otiosae sed et verbosae et curiosae
loquentes quae non oportet
14 volo ergo iuveniores nubere
filios procreare matres familias esse
nullam occasionem dare adversario maledicti gratia
15 iam enim quaedam conversae sunt retro Satanan
16 si qua fidelis habet viduas
subministret illis et non gravetur ecclesia
ut his quae vere viduae sunt sufficiat
17 qui bene praesunt presbyteri duplici honore digni habeantur
maxime qui laborant in verbo et doctrina
18 dicit enim scriptura
non infrenabis os bovi trituranti
et dignus operarius mercede sua
19 adversus presbyterum accusationem noli recipere
nisi sub duobus et tribus testibus
20 peccantes coram omnibus argue
ut et ceteri timorem habeant
21 testor coram Deo et Christo Iesu et electis angelis
ut haec custodias sine praeiudicio
nihil faciens in aliam partem declinando
22 manus cito nemini inposueris
neque communicaveris peccatis alienis
te ipsum castum custodi
23 noli adhuc aquam bibere sed vino modico utere
propter stomachum tuum et frequentes tuas infirmitates
24 quorundam hominum peccata manifesta sunt
praecedentia ad iudicium
quosdam autem et subsequuntur
25 similiter et facta bona manifesta sunt
et quae aliter se habent abscondi non possunt