Letters to the Churches

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.

To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Honor the widows who are truly widows.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,

and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.

At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.