79 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
79 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
## Honor Widows
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###### 1
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Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but _rather_ plead with _him_ as a father, _to_ the younger men as brothers,
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###### 2
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the older women as mothers, _and_ the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
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###### 3
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Honor widows who are widows indeed,
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###### 4
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but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
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###### 5
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Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
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###### 6
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But she who lives in self-indulgence is dead even while she lives.
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###### 7
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And command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
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###### 8
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But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
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###### 9
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A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, _having been_ the wife of one man,
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###### 10
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having a reputation for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work.
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###### 11
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But refuse _to put_ younger widows _on the list_, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,
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###### 12
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_thus_ incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
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###### 13
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And at the same time they also learn _to be_ idle, as they go around from house to house. And not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper _to mention_.
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###### 14
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Therefore, I want younger _widows_ to get married, bear children, keep house, _and_ give the enemy no opportunity for reviling,
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###### 15
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for some have already turned aside after Satan.
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###### 16
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If any believing woman has widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
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## Honoring the Elders
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###### 17
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The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor at _preaching_ the word and teaching.
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###### 18
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For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
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###### 19
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Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
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###### 20
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Those who continue in sin, reprove in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful.
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###### 21
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I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of _His_ elect angels, to observe these _instructions_ without bias, doing nothing in partiality.
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###### 22
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Do not lay hands upon anyone hastily and thereby share _responsibility for_ the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
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###### 23
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No longer drink water _only_, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
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###### 24
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The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their _sins_ follow after.
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###### 25
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So also good works are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
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