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

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

2 a ged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters -- in all purity;

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

3 h onour widows who are really widows;

Honor widows who are widows indeed;

4 a nd 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.

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 nd 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,

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

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

7 a nd these things charge, that they may be blameless;

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

8 a nd 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.

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

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 i n 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;

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

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 h aving judgment, because the first faith they did cast away,

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

13 a nd 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;

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 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;

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

15 f or already certain did turn aside after the Adversary.

for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

16 I f 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.

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 T he well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy, especially those labouring in word and teaching,

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

18 f or the Writing saith, `An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,' and `Worthy the workman of his reward.'

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

19 A gainst an elder an accusation receive not, except upon two or three witnesses.

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

20 T hose sinning, reprove before all, that the others also may have fear;

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

21 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.

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

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 longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities;

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

24 o f certain men the sins are manifest beforehand, leading before to judgment, and certain also they follow after;

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

25 i n like manner also the right works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.

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