Wycliffe's Bible 1Blame thou not an elder man (Do not admonish, or Do not rebuke, an older man), but beseech [him] as a father, young men as brethren;
2old women as mothers, young women as sisters, in all chastity. 3Honour thou [the] widows, that be very widows. (Honour the widows, who be true widows, or who be all alone.) 4But if any widow hath children of sons, learn she first to govern her house, and requite to (her) father and mother; for this thing is accepted before God (for this is acceptable before God/for God approveth of this). 5And she that is a widow verily, and desolate, hope [she] into God (And she who is truly a widow, and desolate, let her put her hope in God), and be busy in beseechings and prayers night and day. 6For she that is living in delights, is dead [in soul]. 7And command thou this thing, (so) that they be without reproof. 8For if any man hath not care of his own, and most(ly) of his household members, (or of his own family), he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unfaithful man, (or a heathen man). 9A widow be chosen [into the temple] not less than sixty years (old), that was (the) wife of one husband, 10and hath witnessing in good works (and hath testimony of good works), (yea,) if she nourished children, if she received poor men to harbour, if she hath washed the feet of holy men, if she ministered to men that suffered tribulation, if she followed all good work(s). 11But eschew thou younger widows; for when they have done lechery, they will be wedded in Christ [forsooth when they have done lechery in Christ, they will be wedded], (But shun younger widows; for when, while yet in the Messiah, they shall do lechery, or shall feel passion, they will be wedded,) 12having damnation (and so shall receive condemnation), for they have made void the(ir) first faith. 13Also they (being) idle learn to go about houses, not only idle, but [they be] full of words and curious, (or curiosity), speaking things that it behooveth not. 14Therefore I will (And so I desire), that younger widows be wedded, and bring forth children, and be housewives, to give none occasion to the adversary, because of (any) cursed thing. 15For now some be turned aback after Satan. 16If any faithful man hath widows, minister he to them, that the church be not charged, that it suffice to them that be very widows. (If anyone in the faith hath a widow in their family, let them minister unto her, so that the church be not burdened, and so that it can provide sufficiently for those who be true widows, or who be all alone.) 17The priests that be well governors, [that is, that truly keep well the priesthood,] be they had worthy to double honour; most(ly) they that travail in word and teaching (mostly they who labour in speaking and teaching). 18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not bridle the mouth of the ox threshing, and, A workman is worthy (of) his hire (and, A workman is worthy of his wages). 19Do not thou receive accusing against a priest, [no] but under twain or three witnesses. 20But reprove thou men that sin before all men, that also others have dread. (And rebuke those who sin before everyone, so that others also have fearful reverence.) 21I pray thee, (or I adjure thee), before God, and Jesus Christ (I beseech thee before God, and Jesus Christ), and his chosen angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, and do nothing in bowing to the other side. 22Put thou hands to no man, neither anon commune thou with other men's sins [Put thou hands to no man soon, neither commune thou with other men’s sins]. Keep thyself chaste. (Do not at once, or too hastily, lay hands upon any man for ordination, nor share thou in other men’s sinning. Keep thyself pure.) 23Do not thou yet drink water, but use a little wine, for thy stomach, and for thine oft falling infirmities. 24Some men's sins be open, before going to doom (before going unto Judgement); but of some men they come after, (or they follow). 25And also good deeds be open, and those that have them in other manner, may not be hid. (And some good deeds be done in the open, but those which be not, cannot be kept hidden forever.) WYCLIFFE’S BIBLE Comprising of Wycliffe’s Old Testament and Wycliffe’s New Testament (Revised Edition) Translated by JOHN WYCLIFFE and JOHN PURVEY A modern-spelling edition of their 14TH century Middle English translation, the first complete English vernacular version, with an Introduction by TERENCE P. NOBLE Used by Permission Bible Hub |