| New King James Version | English Standard Version |
| 1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, | 1Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, |
| 2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. | 2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. |
| 3Honor widows who are really widows. | 3Honor widows who are truly widows. |
| 4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. | 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. |
| 5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. | 5She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, |
| 6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. | 6but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. |
| 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. | 7Command these things as well, so that they may be without 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 anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, | 9Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, |
| 10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. | 10and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. |
| 11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, | 11But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry |
| 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. | 12and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. |
| 13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. | 13Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. |
| 14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. | 14So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. |
| 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. | 15For some have already strayed after Satan. |
| 16If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows. | 16If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. |
| 17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. | 17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. |
| 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” | 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” |
| 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. | 19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. |
| 20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. | 20As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. |
| 21I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. | 21In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. |
| 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. | 22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. |
| 23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. | 23(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) |
| 24Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. | 24The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. |
| 25Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. | 25So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
|
