TIMOTHY, my son, refuse to enrol younger widows; for when they grow wanton
against Christ they desire to marry, and so they incur condemnation for
having violated their first pledge. Besides that, they learn to be
idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers but
gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have
younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the
enemy no occasion to revile us. For some have already strayed after
Satan. If any believing man or woman has relatives who are widows, let
him assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may
assist those who are real widows. Let the elders who rule well be
considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching
and teaching; for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an
ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer
deserves his wages." Never admit any charge against an elder except
on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist
in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may
stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the
elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without favor, doing
nothing from partiality.
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