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

Rebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort as a father, younger as brethren,

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

elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

3 H onor widows who are widows indeed;

Honour widows who are really widows;

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

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

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

And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

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.

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 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 a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, wife of 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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 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 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 take the lead well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word 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, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman worthy of his hire.

19 D o not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are 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.

Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have 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 testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour.

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

Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.

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

Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.

24 T he sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after.

25 L ikewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

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