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

Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,

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

the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 ¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Honor widows who are widows indeed;

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 has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their 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 is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.

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

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

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

Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.

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 anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an 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,

A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the 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.

having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to 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 refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

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

thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.

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.

At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.

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

Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;

15 F or some are already turned back after Satan.

for some have already turned aside to follow 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 woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed. Concerning Elders

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

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching 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, “ You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “ The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

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

Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

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

Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

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 solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

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

Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

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

No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

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

The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

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

Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.