9. Let a widow be placed on the list being not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
10. having a good testimony of good works, if she has brought up well her children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11. But the younger widows refuse, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12. having condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13. And reject also the idle, who have learned to wander about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14. I desire therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, govern the house, giving no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15. For some are already turned back after Satan.
16. If any faithful man or woman has widows, let them maintain them and let not the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} be charged, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.
17. Let the elders that govern well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.
18. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19. Against an elder do not receive an accusation, unless there are two or three witnesses.
20. Those that persist in sin rebuke before all, that the others may also 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 one, neither be partaker of the sins of others; keep thyself pure.
23. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.