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;

Do not speak sharp words to an older man. Talk with him as if he were a father. Talk to younger men as brothers.

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

Talk to older women as mothers. Talk to younger women as sisters, keeping yourself pure.

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

Help women whose husbands have died.

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.

If a woman whose husband has died has children or grandchildren, they are the ones to care for her. In that way, they can pay back to their parents the kindness that has been shown to them. God is pleased when this is done.

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,

Women whose husbands have died are alone in this world. Their trust is in the Lord. They pray day and night.

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

But the one who lives only for the joy she can receive from this world is the same as dead even if she is alive.

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

Teach these things so they will do what is right.

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.

Anyone who does not take care of his family and those in his house has turned away from the faith. He is worse than a person who has never put his trust in Christ.

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;

A woman over sixty years old whose husband has died may receive help from the church. To receive this help, she must have 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.

She must be known for doing good things for people and for being a good mother. She must be known for taking strangers into her home and for washing the feet of Christians. She must be known for helping those who suffer and for showing kindness.

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.

Do not write the names of younger women whose husbands have died together with the names of others who need help. They will turn away from Christ because of wanting to get married again.

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

Then they would be thought of as guilty of breaking their first promise.

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.

They will waste their time. They will go from house to house carrying stories. They will find fault with people and say things they should not talk about.

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 think it is best for younger women whose husbands have died to get married. They should have children and care for their own homes. Then no one can speak against them.

15 F or already some have turned aside after Satan.

Some of these women have already turned away to follow 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 you have any women whose husbands have died in your family, you must care for them. The church should not have to help them. The church can help women whose husbands have died who are all alone in this world and have no one else to help them. Teaching About Leaders

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.

Leaders who do their work well should be given twice as much pay, and for sure, those who work hard preaching and 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.

The Holy Writings say, “When a cow is walking on the grain to break it open, do not stop it from eating some”, and “A person who works should be paid.”

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

Do not listen to what someone says against a church leader unless two or three persons say the same thing.

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.

Show those who keep on sinning where they are wrong in front of the whole church. Then others will be afraid of sinning.

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 tell you from my heart that you must follow these rules without deciding before the truth is known. God and Jesus Christ and the chosen angels know what I am saying. Show favors to no one.

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.

Do not be in a hurry about choosing a church leader. You do not want to have any part in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

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

Do not drink water only. Use a little wine because of your stomach and because you are sick so often.

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.

The sins of some men can be seen. Their sins go before them and make them guilty. The sins of other men will be seen later.

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

In the same way, good works are easy to see now. But some that are not easy to be seen cannot always be hid.