1 N O reprendas al anciano, sino exhórtale como á padre: á los más jóvenes, como á hermanos;

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

2 A las ancianas, como á madres; á las jovencitas, como á hermanas, con toda pureza.

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

3 H onra á las viudas que en verdad son viudas.

Honor widows who are widows indeed;

4 P ero si alguna viuda tuviere hijos, ó nietos, aprendan primero á gobernar su casa piadosamente, y á recompensar á sus padres: porque esto es lo honesto y agradable delante de Dios.

but 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.

5 A hora, la que en verdad es viuda y solitaria, espera en Dios, y es diligente en suplicaciones y oraciones noche y día.

Now 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.

6 P ero la que vive en delicias, viviendo está muerta.

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

7 D enuncia pues estas cosas, para que sean sin reprensión.

Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.

8 Y si alguno no tiene cuidado de los suyos, y mayormente de los de su casa, la fe negó, y es peor que un infiel.

But 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.

9 L a viuda sea puesta en clase especial, no menos que de sesenta años, que haya sido esposa de un solo marido.

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,

10 Q ue tenga testimonio en buenas obras; si crió hijos; si ha ejercitado la hospitalidad; si ha lavado los pies de los santos; si ha socorrido á los afligidos; si ha seguido toda buena obra.

having 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.

11 P ero viudas más jóvenes no admitas: porque después de hacerse licenciosas contra Cristo, quieren casarse.

But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

12 C ondenadas ya, por haber falseado la primera fe.

thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.

13 Y aun también se acostrumbran á ser ociosas, á andar de casa en casa; y no solamente ociosas, sino también parleras y curiosas, hablando lo que no conviene.

At 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.

14 Q uiero pues, que las que son jóvenes se casen, críen hijos, gobiernen la casa; que ninguna ocasión den al adversario para maldecir.

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

15 P orque ya algunas han vuelto atrás en pos de Satanás.

for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

16 S i algún fiel ó alguna fiel tiene viudas, manténgalas, y no sea gravada la iglesia; á fin de que haya lo suficiente para las que de verdad son viudas.

If 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

17 L os ancianos que gobiernan bien, sean tenidos por dignos de doblada honra; mayormente los que trabajan en predicar y enseñar.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

18 P orque la Escritura dice: No embozarás al buey que trilla; y: Digno es el obrero de su jornal.

For the Scripture says, “ You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “ The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

19 C ontra el anciano no recibas acusación sino con dos ó tres testigos.

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

20 A los que pecaren, repréndelos delante de todos, para que los otros también teman.

Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

21 T e requiero delante de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, y de sus ángeles escogidos, que guardes estas cosas sin perjuicio de nadie, que nada hagas inclinándote á la una parte.

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.

22 N o impongas de ligero las manos á ninguno, ni comuniques en pecados ajenos: consérvate en limpieza.

Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

23 N o bebas de aquí adelante agua, sino usa de un poco de vino por causa del estómago, y de tus continuas enfermedades.

No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24 L os pecados de algunos hombres, antes que vengan ellos á juicio, son manifiestos; mas á otros les vienen después.

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

25 A simismo las buenas obras antes son manifiestas; y las que son de otra manera, no pueden esconderse.

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