1 R ebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men 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 T he elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

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

3 H onour widows that are widows indeed.

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 nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before 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 that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth 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 liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

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

7 A nd these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

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

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

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 not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the 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 W ell reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, 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 the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will 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 H aving damnation, 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 withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

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 women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

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 some are already turned aside after Satan.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 I f any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are 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 that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

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 saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

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, but before 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 hem that sin rebuke before all, that others also may 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 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 the chosen angels that you guard and keep without personal prejudice or favor, doing nothing from partiality.

22 L ay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's 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 water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

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

24 S ome men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men 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 L ikewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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