| New American Standard Bible 1995 | NET Bible |
| 1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, | 1Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to 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 complete purity. |
| 3Honor widows who are widows indeed; | 3Honor widows who are truly 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, 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 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. | 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 who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. | 6But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. |
| 7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. | 7Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond reproach. |
| 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. | 8But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he 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 should be put on the list unless she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one 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 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 refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, | 11But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry, |
| 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. | 12and so incur judgment for breaking their former 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. | 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. |
| 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; | 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 have already turned aside to follow Satan. | 15For some have already wandered 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 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. |
| 17The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. | 17Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking 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 the scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The worker deserves his pay." |
| 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. | 19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed 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. | 20Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. | 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with 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. | 23(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion 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 people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later. |
| 25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed. | 25Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden. |
| 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 | NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |
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