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

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

3 honour widows who are really widows;

4 and 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.

5 And 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,

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

7 and these things charge, that they may be blameless;

8 and 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.

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

10 in 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;

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

12 having judgment, because the first faith they did cast away,

13 and at the same time also, they learn [to be] idle, going about the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking the things 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;

15 for already certain did turn aside after the Adversary.

16 If 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.

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

18 for the Writing saith, `An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,` and `Worthy [is] the workman of his reward.`

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

20 Those sinning, reprove before all, that the others also may have 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.

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

23 no longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities;

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

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