Instructions About Widows

1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men like brothers,

1 (A)Do not sharply rebuke an (B)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to (C)the younger men as brothers,

1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

1 Do not sharply reprimand an older man, but appeal to him as [you would to] a father, to younger men as brothers,

2 older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters, with absolute purity.

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

2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

2 older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.

2 to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters, in all purity [being careful to maintain appropriate relationships].

The Support Of Widows

3 Honor widows who have no other family members to care for them.

3 Honor widows who are (D)widows indeed;

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

3 Support(a) widows(A) who are genuinely widows.

3 Honor and help those widows who are truly widowed [alone, and without support].

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing in God's sight.

4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, (E)they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to (a)make some return to their parents; for this is (F)acceptable in the sight of God.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

5 A woman who has no other family members to care for her and who is left all alone has placed her hope in God and devotes herself to petitions and prayers night and day.

5 Now she who is a (G)widow indeed and who has been left alone, (H)has fixed her hope on God and continues in (I)entreaties and prayers night and day.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

5 The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;

5 Now a woman who is really a widow and has been left [entirely] alone [without adequate income] trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But the self-indulgent widow is just as good as dead.

6 But she who (J)gives herself to wanton pleasure is (K)dead even while she lives.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.(C)

6 Whereas she who lives for pleasure and self-indulgence is spiritually dead even while she still lives.

7 Continue to give these instructions, so that they may be blameless.

7 (b)(L)Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

7 Command this also, so they won’t be blamed.

7 Keep instructing [the people to do] these things as well, so that they may be blameless and beyond reproach.

8 If anyone does not take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has (M)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

8 But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.

8 If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters].

9 A widow may be put on the widows' list if she is at least sixty years old and has been the wife of one husband.

9 A widow is to be (N)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been (O)the wife of one man,

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

9 No widow should be placed on the official support list(b) unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband,

9 A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having been] the wife of one man,

10 She must be well known for her good actions as a woman who has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the saints' feet, helped the suffering, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

10 having a reputation for (P)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has (Q)shown hospitality to strangers, if she (R)has washed the (c)saints’ feet, if she has (S)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

10 and is well known for good works(F)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,(G) washed the saints’ feet,(H) helped the afflicted,(I) and devoted herself to every good work.(J)

10 and has a reputation for good deeds; [she is eligible] if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints (God’s people), if she has assisted the distressed, and has devoted herself to doing good in every way.

11 But do not include younger widows on your list. For whenever their natural desires cause them to lose their devotion to the Messiah, they want to remarry.

11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel (T)sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry(K)

11 But refuse [to enroll the] younger widows, for when they feel their natural desires in disregard of Christ, they wish to marry again,

12 They receive condemnation because they have set aside their prior commitment to the Messiah.

12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous (d)pledge.

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

12 and will therefore receive condemnation(L) because they have renounced their original pledge.

12 and so they incur condemnation for having set aside their (a)previous pledge.

13 At the same time, they also learn how to be lazy while going from house to house. Not only this, but they even become gossips and keep busy by interfering in other people's lives, saying things they should not say.

13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also (U)gossips and (V)busybodies, talking about (W)things not proper to mention.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips(M) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.

13 Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and (b)busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention.

14 Therefore, I want younger widows to remarry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.

14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get (X)married, bear children, (Y)keep house, and (Z)give the enemy no occasion for reproach;

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry,(N) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.(O)

14 So I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and not give opponents of the faith any occasion for slander.

15 For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.

15 for some (AA)have already turned aside to follow (AB)Satan.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

15 For some have already turned away(P) to follow Satan.

15 Some [widows] have already turned away [from the faith] to follow Satan.

16 If any woman is a believer and has relatives who are widows, she should help them. The church should not be burdened, so it can help those widows who have no other family members to care for them.

16 If any woman who is a believer (AC)has dependent widows, she must (AD)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are (AE)widows indeed.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

16 If any(c) believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

16 If any believing woman has [dependent] widows [in her household], (c)she must assist them [according to her ability]; and the church must not be burdened [with them], so that it may assist those who are truly widows [those who are all alone and are dependent].

Honoring Worthy Elders And Dealing With Sinners

17 Elders who handle their duties well should be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

17 (AF)The elders who (AG)rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who (AH)work hard (e)at preaching and teaching.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium,(d) especially those who work hard(Q) at preaching and teaching.

17 The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].

18 For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain," and, "A worker deserves his pay."

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

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

18 For the Scripture says:Do not muzzle an oxwhile it is treading out the grain,(R)(e) and,the worker is worthy of his wages.(S)

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].”(A)

19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported "by two or three witnesses."

19 Do not receive an accusation against an (AK)elder except on the basis of (AL)two or three witnesses.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.(T)

19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is based on [the testimony of at least] two or three witnesses.(B)

20 As for those who keep on sinning, rebuke them in front of everyone so that the rest will also be afraid.

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

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.

20 As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will be warned.

21 With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

21 (AO)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.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe(U) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels that you guard and keep these rules without bias, doing nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not ordain anyone hastily. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

22 (AP)Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and (f)thereby share (AQ)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself (g)free from sin.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

22 Don’t be too quick to appoint(f)(V) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.(W)

22 Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], and thereby share in the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

23 Stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach because of your frequent illnesses.

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

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

23 No longer (d)continue drinking [only] water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some people are obvious, leading them to judgment. The sins of others follow them there.

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

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

24 Some people’s sins are obvious, going before them to judgment,(X) but the sins of others surface(g) later.

24 (e)The sins of some people are conspicuous, leading the way for them into judgment [so that they are clearly not qualified for ministry]; but the sins of others appear later [for they are hidden and follow behind them].

25 In the same way, good actions are obvious, and those that are not cannot remain hidden.

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

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

25 Likewise, good deeds are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be hidden [indefinitely].

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