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

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

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

the elder women as mothers; the younger 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, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay 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 desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

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

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

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

Also command these things, that they may be without 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 doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own 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,

Let no one be enrolled as a widow under 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;

being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

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

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;

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

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first 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;

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

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;

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

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

For already some have turned aside after 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 man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

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

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in 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 when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

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

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.

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

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

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 command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

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

Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

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

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

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

Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

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

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.