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

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

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

3 H onor widows who 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 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.

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 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.

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

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

7 P rescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.

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

8 B ut 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.

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 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,

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 h aving 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.

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 refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

But refuse younger widows, for when they become restive and their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw themselves against Christ wish to marry.

12 t hus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.

And so they incur condemnation for having set aside and slighted their previous pledge.

13 A t 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.

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

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 have already turned aside to follow Satan.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 I f 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

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 T he elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

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 says, “ You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “ The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

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 D o not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of 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 hose who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

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 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.

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

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 N o longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

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

24 T he sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins 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, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

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