Instructions About Widows

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

2 older women like mothers, younger women like sisters ??with perfect propriety.

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

The Support Of Widows

3 Widows who really need it must be supported from the funds.

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

4 (When a widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn that the first duty of religion is to their own household, and that they should make some return to those who have brought them up. In God's sight this is an acceptable thing.)

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, they must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing in God's sight.

5 The really forlorn widow has her hope fixed on God, night and day she is at her prayers and supplications;

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 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.

6 whereas the widow who plunges into dissipation is dead before ever she dies.

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

7 So lay down the following rules, to prevent any reproach being incurred.

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

8 Whoever does not provide for his own relatives and particularly for his own family, has repudiated the faith: he is worse than an infidel.

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

9 No one under sixty is to be put on the church's list of widows; and she must have been only once married,

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

10 she must have a reputation for good service, as a woman who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved distress, and interested herself in all good works.

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 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.

11 Refuse to put young widows on the list, for when their wanton desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry

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 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.

12 and thus are guilty of breaking their first troth to Him.

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

13 Besides, they become idle unconsciously by gadding about from one house to another ??and not merely idle but gossips and busybodies, repeating things they have no right to mention.

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 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.

14 So I prefer young widows to marry again, to bear children, to look after their households, and not to afford our opponents any chance of reviling us.

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

15 As it is, some widows have already turned after Satan. ??16 Any believer, man or woman, who has widowed relatives, must give them relief; the church is not to be burdened with them; she has to relieve the widows who really need relief.

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 For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.

Honoring Worthy Elders And Dealing With Sinners

16 Presbyters who are efficient presidents are to be considered worthy of ample remuneration, particularly those who have the task of preaching and teaching:

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 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.

17 Scripture says, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading the grain, and A workman deserves his wages.

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

18 Never let any charge be brought against a presbyter, unless it is certified by two or three witnesses.

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 must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain," and, "A worker deserves his pay."

19 Those who are guilty of sin you must expose in public, to overawe the others.

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 supported "by two or three witnesses."

20 In the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, I adjure you to be unprejudiced in carrying out these orders; be absolutely impartial.

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

21 Never be in a hurry to ordain a presbyter; do not make yourself responsible for the sins of another man ??keep your own life pure.

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 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.

22 [Give up being a total abstainer; take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent attacks of illness.]

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

23 Some people's sins are notorious and call for judgment, but in some cases sin only comes out afterwards.

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

24 Good works are equally conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot escape notice for ever.

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

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