1Chide not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men, as thy brothers; 2and the elder women, as mothers; and the younger women, as thy sisters, with all purity. 3Honor widows, who are truly widows. 4But if a widow hath children, or grandchildren, let them first learn to show kindness to their own households, and to repay the obligations to their parents; for this is acceptable before God. 5Now she who is truly a widow, and solitary, her hope is in God; and she persevereth in prayers, and in supplications, by night and by day: 6But she who followeth pleasure, is dead while she liveth. 7These things enjoin thou on them, that they may be blameless. 8But if any one careth not for them who are his own, and especially for them who are of the household of faith, he hath rejected the faith, and is worse than the unbelievers. 9Therefore elect thou the widow, who is not less than sixty years old, and who hath been the wife of one man, 10and hath a reputation for good works; if she have trained up children, if she have entertained strangers, if she have washed the feet of saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have walked in every good work. 11But the younger widows do thou reject; for they wax wanton against the Messiah, and desire to be married: 12and their condemnation is fixed, because they have cast off their former faith. 13And they also learn idleness, wandering from house to house; and not only idleness, but also to talk much, and to pursue vanities, and to utter what they ought not. 14I would therefore, that the younger women marry, and bear children, and regulate their houses; and that they give no occasion to the adversary for reproach. 15For some have already begun to turn aside after Satan. 16If any believing man or believing woman have widows, let them support them; and let them not be a burden on the church; so that there may be a sufficiency for such as are really widows. 17Let the elders who conduct themselves well, be esteemed worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and in doctrine. 18For the scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the ox in threshing; and, The laborer is worthy of his pay. 19Against an elder, receive not a complaint, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. 20Those who sin before all rebuke; that the rest of the people may fear. 21I charge thee, before God, and our Lord Jesus the Messiah, and his elect angels, that thou observe these things; and let not your mind be preoccupied by any thing: and do nothing with a respect for persons. 22Lay not the hand hastily on any man; and participate not in the sins of others; keep thyself pure. 23And hereafter drink not water, but drink a little wine; on account of thy stomach, and thy continuing infirmities. 24There are persons, whose sins are known, and go before them to the place of judgment; and there are some, whom they follow after. 25So also good deeds are known: and those which are otherwise cannot be hid.