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

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

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

the elder women as mothers; the younger 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, 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 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 desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

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

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

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

Also command these things, that they may be without 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 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 a widow be placed on the list being not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

Let no one be enrolled as a widow under 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.

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

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

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

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first 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.

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

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 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 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 ¶ 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 rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in 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 when it treads out the grain.” 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.

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.

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

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in 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 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 L ay hands suddenly on no one, neither be partaker of the sins of others; keep thyself pure.

Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

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

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

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

Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

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

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.