| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, | 1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, |
| 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. | 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. |
| 3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. | 3Honor the widows who are truly widows. |
| 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. | 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. |
| 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. | 5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. |
| 6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. | 6But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive. |
| 7Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. | 7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach. |
| 8Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. | 8If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, | 9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man, |
| 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. | 10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work. |
| 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. | 11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, |
| 12Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. | 12and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. |
| 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. | 13At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. |
| 14So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. | 14So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. |
| 15Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. | 15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan. |
| 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. | 16If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need. |
| 17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. | 17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. |
| 18For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." | 18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” |
| 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. | 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. |
| 20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. | 20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin. |
| 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. | 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. |
| 22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. | 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. |
| 23Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. | 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. |
| 24The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. | 24The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later. |
| 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. | 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden. |
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