1 D o not sharply censure or rebuke an older man, but entreat and plead with him as a father. Treat younger men like brothers;

Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:

2 o lder women like mothers younger women like sisters, in all purity.

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

3 t reat with great consideration and give aid to those who are truly widowed (solitary and without support).

Honor widows that are widows indeed.

4 B ut if a widow has children or grandchildren, see to it that these are first made to understand that it is their religious duty at home, and make return to their parents or grandparents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 N ow who is a real widow and is left entirely alone and desolate has fixed her hope on God and perseveres in supplications and prayers night and day,

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 W hereas she who lives in pleasure and self-gratification is dead even while she lives.

But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 C harge thus, so that they may be without reproach and blameless.

These things also command, that they may be without reproach.

8 I f anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 L et no one be put on the roll of widows who is under sixty years of age or who has been the wife of more than one man;

Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

10 A nd she must have a reputation for good deeds, as one who has brought up children, who has practiced hospitality to strangers, washed the feet of the saints, helped to relieve the distressed, devoted herself diligently to doing good in every way.

well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

11 B ut refuse younger widows, for when they become restive and their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw themselves against Christ wish to marry.

But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

12 A nd so they incur condemnation for having set aside and slighted their previous pledge.

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

13 M oreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say and talking of things they should not mention.

And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 S o I would have younger marry, bear children, guide the household, not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or reproach.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:

15 F or already some have turned aside after Satan.

for already some are turned aside after Satan.

16 I f any believing woman or believing man has widows, let him relieve them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are truly widows (those who are all alone and are dependent).

If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it mat relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 L et the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor '> financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

18 F or the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

19 L isten to no accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.

20 A s for those who are guilty and persist in sin, rebuke and admonish them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned and stand in wholesome awe and fear.

Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the chosen angels that you guard and keep without personal prejudice or favor, doing nothing from partiality.

I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

22 D o not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands, nor share or participate in another man’s sins; keep yourself pure.

Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 D rink water no longer exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

24 T he sins of some men are conspicuous (openly evident to all eyes), going before them to the judgment and proclaiming their sentence in advance; but the sins of others appear later.

Some men's sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after.

25 S o also, good deeds are evident and conspicuous, and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.

In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.