| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; | 1Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, |
| 2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. | 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters--with complete purity. |
| 3Honour widows that are widows indeed. | 3Honor widows who are truly in need. |
| 4But 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. | 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God. |
| 5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. | 5But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day. |
| 6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. | 6But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. |
| 7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. | 7Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond reproach. |
| 8But 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. | 8But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, | 9No widow should be put on the list unless she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one husband, |
| 10Well 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. | 10and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress--as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works. |
| 11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; | 11But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry, |
| 12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. | 12and so incur judgment for breaking their former pledge. |
| 13And 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. | 13And besides that, going around from house to house they learn to be lazy, and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not. |
| 14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. | 14So I want younger women to marry, raise children, and manage a household, in order to give the adversary no opportunity to vilify us. |
| 15For some are already turned aside after Satan. | 15For some have already wandered away to follow Satan. |
| 16If 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. | 16If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need. |
| 17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. | 17Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching. |
| 18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. | 18For the scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The worker deserves his pay." |
| 19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. | 19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses. |
| 20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. | 20Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest. |
| 21I 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. | 21Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind. |
| 22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. | 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. |
| 23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. | 23(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.) |
| 24Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. | 24The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later. |
| 25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. | 25Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden. |
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