17. The elders who lead the church well should receive great honor. Those who work hard by speaking and teaching especially should receive great honor.
18. For the Scripture says, “When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating.” And the Scripture also says, “A worker should be given his pay.”
19. Do not listen to someone who accuses an elder, unless there are two or three other persons who say he did wrong.
20. Tell those who keep on sinning that they are wrong. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will have a warning.
21. Before God and Jesus Christ and the chosen angels, I command you to do these things. Be careful to do them without showing favor to anyone.
22. Think carefully before you lay your hands on anyone for the Lord’s service. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23. Timothy, you stop drinking only water and drink a little wine. This will help your stomach, and you will not be sick so often.
24. The sins of some people are easy to see even before they are judged. But the sins of others are seen only later.
25. So also good deeds are easy to see. But even when they are not easy to see, they cannot stay hidden.