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The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy , Chapter 5 . Correct an older man in a way that shows respect . Make an appeal to him as if he were your father . Treat younger men as if they were your brothers . Treat older women as if they were your mothers . Treat younger women as if they were your mothers . Treat younger women as if they were your sisters .
Be completely pure in the way you treat them . Take care of the widows who really need help . But suppose a widow has children or grandchildren . They should first learn to put their faith into practice . They should care for their own family . In that way they will pay back their parents and grandparents . That pleases God .
A widow who really needs help and is left all alone puts her hope in God Night and day . She keeps on praying Night and day . She asks God for help . But a widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still living . Give these instructions to the people , then no one can be blamed . Everyone should provide for their own relatives .
Most of all , everyone should take care of their own family . If they don't , they have left the faith . They are worse than someone who doesn't believe . No widow should be put on the list of widows unless she is more than 60 years old . She must also have been faithful to her husband . She must be well known for the good things she does .
That includes bringing up children . It includes inviting guests into her home . It includes washing the feet of the Lord's people . It includes helping those who are in trouble . A widow should spend her time doing all kinds of good things . Don't put younger widows on that kind of list . They might want pleasure more than they want Christ .
Then they would want to get married again . If they do that , they will be judged . They have broken their first promise . Besides , they get into the habit of having nothing to do . They go around from house to house . They waste their time . They also bother other people and say things that make no sense . They shouldn't say those things .
So here is the advice I give to young widows Get married , have children , take care of your own homes . Don't give the enemy the chance to tell lies about you . In fact , some have already turned away to follow Satan . Suppose a woman is a believer and takes care of widows . She should continue to help them . She shouldn't let the church pay the expenses .
Then the church can help the widows who really need it . The elders who do the church's work well are worth twice as much honor . That is true in a special way of elders who preach and teach . Scripture says do not stop an ox from eating while it helps separate the grain from the straw . Scripture also says workers are worthy of their pay .
Don't believe a charge against an elder unless two or three witnesses bring it . But those elders who are sinning should be corrected in front of everyone . This will be a warning to the others . I command you to follow these instructions . I command you , in the sight of God , in Christ Jesus and the chosen angels , treat everyone the same .
Don't favor one person over another . Don't be too quick to place your hands on others , to set them apart to serve God . Don't take part in the sins of others . Keep yourself pure . Stop drinking only water . If your stomach is upset , drink a little wine . It can also help the other sicknesses you often have . The sins of some people are easy to see .
It can also help the other sicknesses you often have . The sins of some people are easy to see . They are already being judged . Others will be judged later In the same way . Good works are easy to see , but even good works that are hard to see can't stay hidden forever .