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.

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

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

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

3 H elp women whose husbands have died.

Honour widows who are really widows;

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.

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

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

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

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

And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

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

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

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

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

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 listen to what someone says against a church leader unless two or three persons say the same thing.

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

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.

Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear.

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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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