11. But do not include younger widows in the list; because when their desires make them want to marry, they turn away from Christ,
12. and so become guilty of breaking their earlier promise to him.
13. They also learn to waste their time in going round from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not.
14. So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us.
15. For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.
16. But if any Christian woman has widows in her family, she must take care of them and not put the burden on the church, so that it may take care of the widows who are all alone.
17. The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18. For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh corn” and “Workers should be given their pay.”
19. Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses.
20. Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid.
21. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the holy angels I solemnly call upon you to obey these instructions without showing any prejudice or favour to anyone in anything you do.
22. Be in no hurry to lay hands on anyone in dedication to the Lord's service. Take no part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23. Do not drink water only, but take a little wine to help your digestion, since you are ill so often.
24. The sins of some people are plain to see, and their sins go ahead of them to judgement; but the sins of others are seen only later.
25. In the same way good deeds are plainly seen, and even those that are not so plain cannot be hidden.