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;

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

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 who 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 has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay 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 who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

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

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

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

Also command these things, 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 anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has 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 no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty 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.

being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has 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 refuse younger widows, for when they have grown 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.

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying 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, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

15 F or already some have turned aside after Satan.

For already some have 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 man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who 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 who 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 says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

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

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word 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.

Those who 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 command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you 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 one, neither be a participant 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.

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent 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, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow 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 also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.