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.

An aged person thou mayest not rebuke, but be entreating as a father; younger persons as brethren;

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

aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters -- in 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.

and if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to their own house to show piety, and to give back a recompense to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.

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

And she who is really a widow and desolate, hath hoped upon God, and doth remain in the supplications and in the 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.

and she who is given to luxury, living -- hath died;

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

and these things charge, that they may be blameless;

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.

and if any one for his own -- and especially for those of the household -- doth not provide, the faith he hath denied, and than an unbeliever he is worse.

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.

A widow -- let her not be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband,

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.

in good works being testified to: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if saints' feet she washed, if those in tribulation she relieved, if every good work she followed after;

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.

and younger widows be refusing, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry,

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

having judgment, because the first faith they did cast away,

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 also, they learn idle, going about the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking the things they ought not;

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 wish, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer to reviling;

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

for already certain did turn aside after the Adversary.

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 believing woman have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the assembly be burdened, that those really widows it may relieve.

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.

The well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy, especially 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 Writing saith, `An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,' and `Worthy the workman of his reward.'

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 an accusation receive not, except upon 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 sinning, reprove before all, that the others 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 fully, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the choice messengers, that these things thou mayest keep, without forejudging, doing nothing by partiality.

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.

Be laying hands quickly on no one, nor be having fellowship with sins of others; be keeping thyself pure;

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

no longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities;

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 certain men the sins are manifest beforehand, leading before to judgment, and certain 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 also the right works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.