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.

No reprendas al anciano, sino exhórtale como a padre; a los más jóvenes, como a hermanos;

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

a las ancianas, como a madres; a las jovencitas, como a hermanas, con toda pureza.

3 H elp women whose husbands have died.

Honra a las viudas que en verdad lo son.

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.

Pero si alguna viuda tiene hijos, o nietos, aprendan éstos primero a ser piadosos para con su propia familia, y a recompensar a sus padres; porque esto es lo bueno y agradable delante de Dios.

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

Mas la que en verdad es viuda y ha quedado sola, ha puesto su esperanza en Dios, y persevera en súplicas y oraciones noche y día.

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.

Pero la que se entrega a los placeres, viviendo está muerta.

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

Manda también estas cosas, para que sean irreprensibles;

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.

porque si alguno no provee para los suyos, y especialmente para los de su casa, ha negado la fe, y es peor que un 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.

Sea puesta en la lista sólo la viuda no menor de sesenta años, que haya sido esposa de un solo 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.

que tenga testimonio de buenas obras; si ha criado hijos; si ha practicado la hospitalidad; si ha lavado los pies de los santos; si ha socorrido a los afligidos; si ha estado dedicada a toda buena obra.

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.

Pero no admitas viudas más jóvenes; porque cuando, impulsadas por sus deseos, se rebelan contra Cristo, quieren casarse,

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

incurriendo así en condenación, por haber dejado a un lado su promesa anterior.

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.

Y al mismo tiempo aprenden a ser ociosas, andando de casa en casa; y no solamente ociosas, sino también chismosas y entremetidas, hablando lo que no deben.

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.

Quiero, pues, que las viudas jóvenes se casen, críen hijos, gobiernen su casa; que no den al adversario ningún pretexto para hablar mal.

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

Porque ya algunas se han apartado en pos de 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

Si algún creyente o alguna creyente tiene viudas, que las mantenga, y no sea gravada la iglesia, a fin de que haya lo suficiente para las que en verdad son viudas.

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.

Los ancianos que gobiernan bien, sean tenidos por dignos de doble honor, principalmente los que trabajan en predicar y enseñar.

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.”

Pues la Escritura dice: No pondrás bozal al buey que trilla; y: Digno es el obrero de su salario.

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

Contra un anciano no admitas acusación a no ser sobre la base de dos o tres testigos.

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.

A los que persisten en pecar, repréndelos delante de todos, para que los demás tengan 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.

Te conjuro delante de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, y de sus ángeles escogidos, que guardes estas cosas sin prejuicios, no haciendo nada con parcialidad.

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.

No impongas con ligereza las manos a ninguno, ni participes en pecados ajenos. Consérvate puro.

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

Ya no bebas agua, sino usa de un poco de vino por causa de tu estómago y de tus frecuentes enfermedades.

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.

Los pecados de algunos hombres se hacen patentes antes que ellos vengan a juicio, mas a otros se les descubren después.

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.

Asimismo se hacen manifiestas las buenas obras; y las que son de otra manera, no pueden permanecer ocultas.