1 ¶ Al anciano no riñas, sino exhórtalo como a padre; a los más jóvenes, como a hermanos;

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

2 a las ancianas, como a madres; a las jovencitas, como a hermanas, con toda limpieza.

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

3 ¶ Honra a las viudas que en verdad son viudas.

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

4 Y si alguna viuda tuviere hijos, o nietos, aprendan éstos primero a gobernar su casa piadosamente, y a recompensar a sus padres, porque esto es lo honesto y agradable delante de Dios.

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 A hora, la que en verdad es viuda y sola, espera en Dios, y es diligente en súplicas y oraciones noche y día.

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 P ero la que vive en delicias, viviendo está muerta en vida.

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

7 M anda, pues, esto, para que sean sin reprensión.

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

8 P ero si alguno no tiene cuidado de los suyos, y mayormente de los de su casa, la fe negó, y es peor que el que no creyó.

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 a viuda sea puesta en lista, no menor de sesenta años, la cual haya sido mujer de un varón.

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 Q ue tenga testimonio en buenas obras; si crió bien sus hijos; si ha ejercitado la hospitalidad; si ha lavado los pies de los santos; si ha socorrido a los afligidos; si ha seguido toda buena obra.

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 P ero viudas más jóvenes no admitas, porque después de hacerse licenciosas contra Cristo, quieren casarse.

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

12 T eniendo ya condenación, por haber falseado su primera fe.

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

13 T ampoco admitas las ociosas, enseñadas a andar de casa en casa; y no solamente ociosas, sino también parleras y curiosas, hablando lo que no conviene.

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 Q uiero pues, que las que son jóvenes se casen, críen hijos, gobiernen la casa; que ninguna ocasión den al adversario para maldecir.

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

15 P orque ya algunas han vuelto atrás en pos de Satanás.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 S i algún fiel o alguna fiel tiene viudas, manténgalas, y no sea gravada la Iglesia; a fin de que haya lo suficiente para las que de verdad son viudas.

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 ¶ Los ancianos que gobiernan bien, sean tenidos por dignos de doble honra; mayormente los que trabajan en predicar y enseñar.

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 P orque la Escritura dice: No embozarás al buey que trilla; y: Digno es el obrero de su jornal.

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 C ontra un anciano no recibas acusación, sino con dos o tres testigos.

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

20 A los que pecaren, repréndelos delante de todos, para que los otros también tengan temor.

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 T e requiero delante de Dios y del Señor Jesús el Cristo, y de sus Angeles escogidos, que guardes estas cosas, sin perjuicio de nadie, no haciendo nada con parcialidad.

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 N o impongas fácilmente las manos a ninguno, ni participes en pecados ajenos; consérvate en limpieza.

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 N o bebas de aquí adelante agua, sino usa de un poco de vino por causa del estómago, y de tus continuas enfermedades.

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

24 L os pecados de algunos hombres, antes que vengan ellos a juicio, son manifiestos; mas a otros les vienen después.

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 A simismo las buenas obras antes son manifiestas; y las que son de otra manera, no pueden esconderse.

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