1 ¶ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren,

Rebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort as a father, younger as brethren,

2 t he elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.

elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

3 ¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Honour widows who are really widows;

4 B ut if any widow has children or grandchildren, let those learn first to govern their house in piety and to recompense their parents, for this is honest and pleasing before God.

but 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.

5 N ow she that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusts in God, and is diligent in supplications and prayers night and day,

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

6 b ut she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead living.

7 T herefore command these things, that they may be blameless.

And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

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

But 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.

9 L et a widow be placed on the list being not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

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

10 h aving a good testimony of good works, if she has brought up well her children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

borne 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.

11 B ut the younger widows refuse, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

12 h aving condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 A nd reject also the idle, who have learned to wander about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

And, 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.

14 I desire therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, govern the house, giving no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

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

15 F or some are already turned back after Satan.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 I f any faithful man or woman has widows, let them maintain them and let not the congregation be charged, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.

If 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.

17 ¶ Let the elders that govern well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.

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

18 F or the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

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

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

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

20 T hose that persist in sin rebuke before all, that the others may also fear.

Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear.

21 I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

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

22 L ay hands suddenly on no one, neither be partaker of the sins of others; keep thyself pure.

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

23 D rink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

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

24 S ome men’s sins are manifest beforehand, before they come unto judgment, but to others they follow after.

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

25 L ikewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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