¹  it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger,” ² 

older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters – with complete purity.

“Now his older son was in the field. As ¹  he came and approached the house, he heard music ²  and dancing.

But the older son ¹  became angry ²  and refused ³  to go in. His father came out and appealed to him,

Do not address an older man harshly ¹  but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, ² 

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, ¹  sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. ² 

“You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ¹  ‘Do not murder,’ ²  and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’

“Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ¹  ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ ² 

Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.

Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, ¹  until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.