1 R ebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

¶ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren,

2 t he elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3 H onour widows that are widows indeed.

¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 B ut if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let those learn first to govern their house in piety and to recompense their parents, for this is honest and pleasing before God.

5 N ow she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Now she that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusts in God, and is diligent in supplications and prayers night and day,

6 B ut she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

but she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 A nd these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

Therefore command these things, that they may be blameless.

8 B ut if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

But if any provide not for his own and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 L et not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

Let a widow be placed on the list being not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

10 w ell reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

having a good testimony of good works, if she has brought up well her children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 B ut the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

But the younger widows refuse, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

12 h aving damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

having condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 A nd withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

And reject also the idle, who have learned to wander about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

I desire therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, govern the house, giving no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 F or some are already turned aside after Satan.

For some are already turned back after Satan.

16 I f any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

If any faithful man or woman has widows, let them maintain them and let not the congregation be charged, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.

17 L et the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

¶ Let the elders that govern well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 F or the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 A gainst an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Against an elder do not receive an accusation, unless there are two or three witnesses.

20 T hem that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Those that persist in sin rebuke before all, that the others may also fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 L ay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

Lay hands suddenly on no one, neither be partaker of the sins of others; keep thyself pure.

23 D rink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

24 S ome men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Some men’s sins are manifest beforehand, before they come unto judgment, but to others they follow after.

25 L ikewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.