| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New International Version |
| 1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, | 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, |
| 2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. | 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. |
| 3Honor widows who are widows indeed; | 3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. |
| 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. | 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. |
| 5Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. | 5The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. |
| 6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. | 6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. |
| 7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. | 7Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. |
| 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. | 8Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, | 9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, |
| 10having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. | 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. |
| 11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, | 11As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. |
| 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. | 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. |
| 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. | 13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. |
| 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; | 14So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. |
| 15for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. | 15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. |
| 16If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed. | 16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. |
| 17The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. | 17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. |
| 18For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." | 18For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." |
| 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. | 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. |
| 20Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. | 20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. |
| 21I 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. | 21I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. |
| 22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. | 22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. |
| 23No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. | 23Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. |
| 24The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. | 24The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. |
| 25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed. | 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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