1 N o reprendas al anciano, sino exhórtale como a 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, como a hermanas, con toda pureza.

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

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

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, 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.

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 M as 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.

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, viviendo está muerta.

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, ha negado 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 S ea puesta en la lista sólo la viuda no menor de sesenta años, que haya sido esposa de 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 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.

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 cuando, impulsadas por sus deseos, se rebelan contra Cristo, 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 i ncurriendo así en condenación, por haber dejado a un lado su promesa anterior.

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

13 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.

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

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 en pos de Satanás.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 S i 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.

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, sean tenidos por dignos de doble honor, principalmente los que trabajan en 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 C ontra un anciano no admitas acusación a no ser sobre la base de 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 tengan temor.

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 conjuro delante de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, y de sus ángeles escogidos, que guardes estas cosas sin prejuicios, no haciendo nada 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 con ligereza las manos a ninguno, 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 Y a no bebas agua, sino usa de un poco de vino por causa de tu estómago y de tus frecuentes enfermedades.

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 patentes antes que ellos vengan a juicio, mas 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 A simismo se hacen manifiestas las buenas obras; y las que son de otra manera, no pueden permanecer ocultas.

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