1 R ebuke 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 H onour widows that are widows indeed.

Honour widows who are really widows;

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 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, trusteth in God, and continueth 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 liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

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

7 A nd these things give in charge, 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 hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

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 not a widow be taken into the number under threescore 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 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.

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 will marry;

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

12 H aving damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

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

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.

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 will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none 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 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 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 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 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 treadeth out the corn. 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 receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

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

20 T hem that sin rebuke before all, that others also may 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 man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: 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 open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men 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 they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

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