5:4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.
5:5 The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;
5:6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
5:9 No widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband,
5:10 and is well known for good works--that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.
5:11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry
5:12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.
5:13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say.
5:14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.
5:15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
5:16 If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.
5:17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
5:18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, the worker is worthy of his wages.
5:19 Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
5:20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.
5:21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
5:22 Don't be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
5:23 Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
5:24 Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later.
5:25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
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