1 N o reprendas con dureza al anciano, sino, más bien, exhórta lo como a padre; a los más jóvenes, como a hermanos,

Do not speak sharp words to an older man. Talk with him as if he were a father. Talk to younger men as brothers.

2 a las ancianas, como a madres; a las más jóvenes, como a hermanas, con toda pureza. Responsabilidades hacia las viudas

Talk to older women as mothers. Talk to younger women as sisters, keeping yourself pure.

3 H onra a las viudas que en verdad son viudas;

Help women whose husbands have died.

4 p ero si alguna viuda tiene hijos o nietos, que aprendan éstos primero a mostrar piedad para con su propia familia y a recompensar a sus padres, porque esto es agradable delante de Dios.

If a woman whose husband has died has children or grandchildren, they are the ones to care for her. In that way, they can pay back to their parents the kindness that has been shown to them. God is pleased when this is done.

5 P ero la que en verdad es viuda y se ha quedado sola, tiene puesta su esperanza en Dios y continúa en súplicas y oraciones noche y día.

Women whose husbands have died are alone in this world. Their trust is in the Lord. They pray day and night.

6 M as la que se entrega a los placeres desenfrenados, aun viviendo, está muerta.

But the one who lives only for the joy she can receive from this world is the same as dead even if she is alive.

7 O rdena también estas cosas, para que sean irreprochables.

Teach these things so they will do what is right.

8 P ero si alguno no provee para los suyos, y especialmente para los de su casa, ha negado la fe y es peor que un incrédulo.

Anyone who does not take care of his family and those in his house has turned away from the faith. He is worse than a person who has never put his trust in Christ.

9 Q ue la viuda sea puesta en la lista sólo si no es menor de sesenta años, habiendo sido la esposa de un solo marido,

A woman over sixty years old whose husband has died may receive help from the church. To receive this help, she must have been the wife of one man.

10 q ue tenga testimonio de buenas obras; si ha criado hijos, si ha mostrado hospitalidad a extraños, si ha lavado los pies de los santos, si ha ayudado a los afligidos y si se ha consagrado a toda buena obra.

She must be known for doing good things for people and for being a good mother. She must be known for taking strangers into her home and for washing the feet of Christians. She must be known for helping those who suffer and for showing kindness.

11 P ero rehúsa poner en la lista a viudas más jóvenes, porque cuando sienten deseos sensuales, contrarios a Cristo, se quieren casar,

Do not write the names of younger women whose husbands have died together with the names of others who need help. They will turn away from Christ because of wanting to get married again.

12 i ncurriendo así en condenación, por haber abandonado su promesa anterior.

Then they would be thought of as guilty of breaking their first promise.

13 Y además, aprenden a estar ociosas, yendo de casa en casa; y no sólo ociosas, sino también charlatanas y entremetidas, hablando de cosas que no son dignas.

They will waste their time. They will go from house to house carrying stories. They will find fault with people and say things they should not talk about.

14 P or tanto, quiero que las viudas más jóvenes se casen, que tengan hijos, que cuiden su casa y no den al adversario ocasión de reproche.

I think it is best for younger women whose husbands have died to get married. They should have children and care for their own homes. Then no one can speak against them.

15 P ues algunas ya se han apartado para seguir a Satanás.

Some of these women have already turned away to follow Satan.

16 S i alguna creyente tiene viudas en la familia, que las mantenga, y que la iglesia no lleve la carga para que pueda ayudar a las que en verdad son viudas. Otras recomendaciones

If you have any women whose husbands have died in your family, you must care for them. The church should not have to help them. The church can help women whose husbands have died who are all alone in this world and have no one else to help them. Teaching About Leaders

17 L os ancianos que gobiernan bien sean considerados dignos de doble honor, principalmente los que trabajan en la predicación y en la enseñanza.

Leaders who do their work well should be given twice as much pay, and for sure, those who work hard preaching and teaching.

18 P orque la Escritura dice: No pondras bozal al buey cuando trilla, y: El obrero es digno de su salario.

The Holy Writings say, “When a cow is walking on the grain to break it open, do not stop it from eating some”, and “A person who works should be paid.”

19 N o admitas acusación contra un anciano, a menos de que haya dos o tres testigos.

Do not listen to what someone says against a church leader unless two or three persons say the same thing.

20 A los que continúan en pecado, repréndelos en presencia de todos para que los demás tengan temor de pecar.

Show those who keep on sinning where they are wrong in front of the whole church. Then others will be afraid of sinning.

21 T e encargo solemnemente en la presencia de Dios y de Cristo Jesús y de sus ángeles escogidos, que conserves estos principios sin prejuicios, no haciendo nada con espíritu de parcialidad.

I tell you from my heart that you must follow these rules without deciding before the truth is known. God and Jesus Christ and the chosen angels know what I am saying. Show favors to no one.

22 N o impongas las manos sobre nadie con ligereza, compartiendo así la responsabilidad por los pecados de otros; guárdate libre de pecado.

Do not be in a hurry about choosing a church leader. You do not want to have any part in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

23 Y a no bebas agua sola, sino usa un poco de vino por causa de tu estómago y de tus frecuentes enfermedades.

Do not drink water only. Use a little wine because of your stomach and because you are sick so often.

24 L os pecados de algunos hombres son ya evidentes, yendo delante de ellos al juicio; mas a otros, sus pecados los siguen.

The sins of some men can be seen. Their sins go before them and make them guilty. The sins of other men will be seen later.

25 D e la misma manera, las buenas obras son evidentes, y las que no lo son no se pueden ocultar.

In the same way, good works are easy to see now. But some that are not easy to be seen cannot always be hid.