¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.^(A)

¹⁷ The elders^(B) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(C) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a](D) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^[b](E)