51 Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers: 2 To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.
3 Give honour to widows who are truly widows. 4 But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God. 5 Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night. 6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living. 7 Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone. 8 If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith. 9 Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man, 10 And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works. 11 But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married; 12 And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith; 13 And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say. 14 So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them, 15 For even now some are turned away to Satan. 16 If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.
17 Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward. 19 Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it. 20 Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear. 21 I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another. 22 Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean. 23 Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill. 24 The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them. 25 In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.
31 This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work. 2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher; 3 Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle; no fighter, no lover of money; 4 Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour; 5 (For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One. 7 And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.
8 Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world; 9 Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin. 10 And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them. 11 Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things. 12 Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well. 13 For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 I am writing these things to you, though I am hoping to come to you before long; 15 But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true. 16 And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.
