¹⁷The elders^c who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^d especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^a^e and “The worker deserves his wages.”^b^f ¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^g unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^h

Read in Logos

Footnotes

a Deut. 25:4
b Luke 10:7

Cross references

cSee Ac 11:30
d Php 2:29; 1 Th 5:12
e Dt 25:4; 1 Co 9:7–9
f Lk 10:7; Lev 19:13; Dt 24:14, 15; Mt 10:10; 1 Co 9:14
gSee Ac 11:30
hSee Mt 18:16

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.

Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

NLTNew Living Translation

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

The elders who lead well must be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor by speaking and teaching. For the scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is threshing,” and “The worker is worthy of his wages.” Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

KJV 1900King James Version

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Public Domain