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

Não repreendas asperamente a um velho, mas admoesta-o como a um pai; aos moços, como a irmãos;

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

3 H elp women whose husbands have died.

Honra as viúvas que são verdadeiramente viúvas.

4 I f 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.

Mas, se alguma viúva tiver filhos, ou netos, aprendam eles primeiro a exercer piedade para com a sua própria família, e a recompensar seus progenitores; porque isto é agradável a Deus.

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

Ora, a que é verdadeiramente viúva e desamparada espera em Deus, e persevera de noite e de dia em súplicas e orações;

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

mas a que vive em prazeres, embora viva, está morta.

7 T each these things so they will do what is right.

Manda, pois, estas coisas, para que elas sejam irrepreensíveis.

8 A nyone 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.

Mas, se alguém não cuida dos seus, e especialmente dos da sua família, tem negado a fé, e é pior que um incrédulo.

9 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.

Não seja inscrita como viúva nenhuma que tenha menos de sessenta anos, e só a que tenha sido mulher de um só marido,

10 S he 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.

aprovada com testemunho de boas obras, se criou filhos, se exercitou hospitalidade, se lavou os pés aos santos, se socorreu os atribulados, se praticou toda sorte de boas obras.

11 D o 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.

Mas rejeita as viúvas mais novas, porque, quando se tornam le5

12 T hen they would be thought of as guilty of breaking their first promise.

tendo já a sua condenação por haverem violado a primeira fé;

13 T hey 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.

e, além disto, aprendem também a ser ociosas, andando de casa em casa; e não somente ociosas, mas também faladeiras e intrigantes, falando o que não convém.

14 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.

Quero pois que as mais novas se casem, tenham filhos, dirijam a sua casa, e não dêem ocasião ao adversário de maldizer;

15 S ome of these women have already turned away to follow Satan.

porque já algumas se desviaram, indo após Satanás.

16 I f 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

Se alguma mulher crente tem viúvas, socorra-as, e não se sobrecarregue a igreja, para que esta possa socorrer as que são verdadeiramente viúvas.

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

Os anciãos que governam bem sejam tidos por dignos de duplicada honra, especialmente os que labutam na pregação e no ensino.

18 T he 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.”

Porque diz a Escritura: Não atarás a boca ao boi quando debulha. E: Digno é o trabalhador do seu salário.

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

Não aceites acusação contra um ancião, senão com duas ou três testemunhas.

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

Aos que vivem no pecado, repreende-os na presença de todos, para que também os outros tenham temor.

21 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.

Conjuro-te diante de Deus, e de Cristo Jesus, e dos anjos eleitos, que sem prevenção guardes estas coisas, nada fazendo com parcialidade.

22 D o 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.

A ninguém imponhas precipitadamente as mãos, nem participes dos pecados alheios; conserva-te a ti mesmo puro.

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

Não bebas mais água só, mas usa um pouco de vinho, por causa do teu estômago e das tuas freqüentes enfermidades.

24 T he 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.

Os pecados de alguns homens são manifestos antes de entrarem em juízo, enquanto os de outros descobrem-se depois.

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

Da mesma forma também as boas obras são manifestas antecipadamente; e as que não o são não podem ficar ocultas.