1 N o reprendas al anciano, sino exhórtalo como a un padre; a los más jóvenes, como a hermanos;

Do not sharply censure or rebuke an older man, but entreat and plead with him as a father. Treat younger men like brothers;

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

older women like mothers younger women like sisters, in all purity.

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

treat with great consideration and give aid to those who are truly widowed (solitary and without support).

4 P ero si alguna viuda tiene hijos, o nietos, éstos deben aprender primero a ser piadosos para con su propia familia, y a recompensar a sus padres; porque ante Dios esto es bueno y agradable.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, see to it that these are first made to understand that it is their religious duty at home, and make return to their parents or grandparents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 L a viuda que en verdad es viuda, y que se ha quedado sola, espera en Dios y noche y día persevera en súplicas y oraciones;

Now who is a real widow and is left entirely alone and desolate has fixed her hope on God and perseveres in supplications and prayers night and day,

6 p ero la que se entrega a los placeres, está muerta en vida.

Whereas she who lives in pleasure and self-gratification is dead even while she lives.

7 M anda también estas cosas, para que sean irreprensibles;

Charge thus, so that they may be without reproach and blameless.

8 p orque si alguno no provee para los suyos, y especialmente para los de su casa, niega la fe y es peor que un incrédulo.

If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 E n la lista deben figurar sólo las viudas mayores de sesenta años, y que hayan tenido un solo marido;

Let no one be put on the roll of widows who is under sixty years of age or who has been the wife of more than one man;

10 q ue cuente con un testimonio de buenas obras, como haber criado hijos, practicado la hospitalidad, lavado los pies de los santos, socorrido a los afligidos, y practicado toda buena obra.

And she must have a reputation for good deeds, as one who has brought up children, who has practiced hospitality to strangers, washed the feet of the saints, helped to relieve the distressed, devoted herself diligently to doing good in every way.

11 P ero no admitas viudas más jóvenes, porque luego se rebelan contra Cristo y, llevadas por sus deseos, quieren casarse,

But refuse younger widows, for when they become restive and their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw themselves against Christ wish to marry.

12 c on lo que incurren en condenación por quebrantar su primera fe.

And so they incur condemnation for having set aside and slighted their previous pledge.

13 A demás, aprenden a ser ociosas y a andar de casa en casa; y no solamente se vuelven ociosas sino también chismosas y entrometidas, y hablan de lo que no deben.

Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say and talking of things they should not mention.

14 P or eso quiero que las viudas jóvenes se casen y críen hijos; que gobiernen su casa y no den al adversario ninguna ocasión de maledicencia.

So I would have younger marry, bear children, guide the household, not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or reproach.

15 P orque ya algunas se han apartado por seguir a Satanás.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 S i algún creyente o alguna creyente tiene viudas, que las mantenga, para no gravar a la iglesia; así habrá lo suficiente para las viudas que en verdad lo son.

If any believing woman or believing man has widows, let him relieve them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are truly widows (those who are all alone and are dependent).

17 L os ancianos que gobiernan bien deben considerarse dignos de doble honor, mayormente los que se dedican a predicar y enseñar.

Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor '> financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching.

18 P ues la Escritura dice: «No pondrás bozal al buey que trilla», y: «Digno es el obrero de su salario.»

For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

19 N o admitas ninguna acusación contra un anciano, a menos que haya dos o tres testigos.

Listen to no accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

20 A los que persisten en pecar, repréndelos delante de todos, para que los demás también teman.

As for those who are guilty and persist in sin, rebuke and admonish them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned and stand in wholesome awe and fear.

21 T e encarezco delante de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, y de sus ángeles escogidos, que guardes estas cosas sin prejuicios y sin actuar con parcialidad.

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the chosen angels that you guard and keep without personal prejudice or favor, doing nothing from partiality.

22 N o impongas a nadie las manos con ligereza, ni participes en pecados ajenos. Consérvate puro.

Do not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands, nor share or participate in another man’s sins; keep yourself pure.

23 P or causa de tu estómago y de tus frecuentes enfermedades ya no bebas agua, sino toma un poco de vino.

Drink water no longer exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 L os pecados de algunos hombres se hacen evidentes antes de que ellos sean llevados a juicio, aunque a otros se les descubren después.

The sins of some men are conspicuous (openly evident to all eyes), going before them to the judgment and proclaiming their sentence in advance; but the sins of others appear later.

25 D e igual manera, las buenas obras se hacen evidentes; y aun las que son diferentes, tampoco pueden permanecer ocultas.

So also, good deeds are evident and conspicuous, and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.