1: Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and
the younger men as brethren; |
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2: The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all
purity. |
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3:
Honour widows that are widows indeed. |
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4: But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn
first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is
good and acceptable before God. |
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5: Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God,
and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. |
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6: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
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7: And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of
his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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9: Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore
years old, having been the wife of one man, |
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10: Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up
children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints'
feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently
followed every good work. |
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11: But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to
wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; |
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12: Having damnation, because they have cast off their first
faith. |
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13: And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house
to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking
things which they ought not. |
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14: I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children,
guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak
reproachfully. |
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15: For some are already turned aside after Satan. |
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16: If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them
relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve
them that are widows indeed. |
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17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. |
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18: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. |
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19: Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or
three witnesses. |
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20: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
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21: I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one
before another, doing nothing by partiality. |
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22: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other
men's sins: keep thyself pure. |
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23: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy
stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. |
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24: Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to
judgment; and some men they follow after. |
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25: Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand;
and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. |