1 R ebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort as a father, younger as brethren,

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

2 e lder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

older women like mothers younger women like sisters, in all purity.

3 H onour widows who are really widows;

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

4 b ut if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But 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.

5 N ow she who a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put hope in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

Now 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,

6 B ut she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead living.

Whereas she who lives in pleasure and self-gratification is dead even while she lives.

7 A nd these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

Charge thus, so that they may be without reproach and blameless.

8 B ut if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever.

If 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.

9 L et a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, wife of one man,

Let 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;

10 b orne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.

And 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.

11 B ut younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

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

12 b eing guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.

And so they incur condemnation for having set aside and slighted their previous pledge.

13 A nd, at the same time, they learn also idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.

Moreover, 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.

14 I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

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

15 F or already some have turned aside after Satan.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 I f any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those widows indeed.

If 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).

17 L et the elders who take the lead well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;

Let 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.

18 f or the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman worthy of his hire.

For 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.

19 A gainst an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

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

20 T hose that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear.

As 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.

21 I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour.

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.

22 L ay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.

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

23 D rink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.

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

24 O f some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after.

The 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.

25 I n like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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