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

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

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

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

3 H onor widows who are widows indeed;

Honor widows who are widows indeed.

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 has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their 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 is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

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

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

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

Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

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 anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied 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 enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the 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.

being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has 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 refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

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

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first 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.

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

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

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

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 man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are 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 rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in 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 the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

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

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word 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.

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in 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 command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by 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.

Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’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.

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

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

Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

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

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.