1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 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 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 8 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 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 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 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13 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 desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15 For already some have turned away after Satan. 16 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 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18 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 Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21 I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

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

24 Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

1 'n Bejaarde man moet jy nie hard bestraf nie, maar vermaan hom soos 'n vader, jongeres soos broers,

2 bejaarde vroue soos moeders, jongeres soos susters in alle reinheid.

3 Eer die weduwees wat waarlik weduwees is.

4 Maar as 'n weduwee kinders of kleinkinders het, laat hulle eers leer om teenoor hulle eie huis eerbied te betoon en vergelding te doen aan hulle ouers; want dit is goed en aangenaam voor God.

5 En sy wat waarlik weduwee is en alleen gelaat is, hoop op God en bly in smekinge en gebede nag en dag.

6 Maar sy wat losbandig is, is lewendig dood.

7 Beveel ook hierdie dinge, sodat hulle onberispelik kan wees.

8 Maar iemand wat vir sy eie mense, en veral sy huisgenote, nie sorg nie, het die geloof verloën en is slegter as 'n ongelowige.

9 Laat 'n weduwee gekies word, nie minder as sestig jaar oud nie, wat die vrou van een man gewees het

10 en getuienis het van goeie werke, as sy kinders grootgemaak het, gasvry gewees het, die voete van die heiliges gewas het, verdruktes gehelp en elke goeie werk nagestreef het.

11 Maar jy moet die jong weduwees afwys; want wanneer hulle tot oneer van Christus wellustig word, wil hulle trou

12 en kom onder 'n oordeel, omdat hulle hul eerste geloof verwerp het.

13 En tegelykertyd leer hulle ook om ledig by die huise rond te gaan; en nie alleen is hulle ledig nie, maar ook praatsiek en bemoeisiek, want hulle praat wat nie behoorlik is nie.

14 Ek wil dan hê dat die jong weduwees moet trou, kinders baar, hulle huise regeer en die teëparty geen aanleiding gee om kwaad te spreek nie.

15 Want sommige het al afgewyk agter die Satan aan.

16 As 'n gelowige man of 'n gelowige vrou weduwees by hulle het, moet die aan hulle hulp verleen; en laat die gemeente nie beswaar word nie, sodat dit die wat waarlik weduwees is, kan help.

17 Laat die ouderlinge wat goed regeer, dubbele eer waardig geag word, veral die wat arbei in woord en leer.

18 Want die Skrif sê: Jy mag 'n os wat graan dors, nie muilband nie; en: Die arbeider is sy loon werd.

19 Moenie 'n beskuldiging teen 'n ouderling aanneem nie, behalwe op die getuienis van twee of drie.

20 Bestraf die wat sondig, in die teenwoordigheid van almal, sodat ook die ander kan vrees.

21 Ek besweer jou voor God en die Here Jesus Christus en die uitverkore engele dat jy hierdie dinge sonder vooroordeel in ag neem en niks uit partydigheid doen nie.

22 Moenie haastig iemand die hande oplê nie, en moet ook nie met die sondes van ander gemeenskap hê nie. Hou jou rein.

23 Moenie langer water alleen drink nie, maar gebruik 'n bietjie wyn ter wille van jou maag en jou herhaalde ongesteldhede.

24 Die sondes van sommige mense is baie duidelik en gaan voor hulle uit tot die oordeel, maar volg ander eers agterna.

25 Net so is ook die goeie werke baie duidelik, en ook die wat anders is, kan nie weggesteek word nie.