| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, | 1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, |
| 2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. | 2older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters. |
| 3Honor widows who are really widows. | 3Support widows who are genuinely 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 any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. |
| 5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. | 5The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; |
| 6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. | 6however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. |
| 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. | 7Command this also, so they won't be blamed. |
| 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 own, that is his own 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, | 9No widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 60 years old, has 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 is well known for good works--that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and 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 they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry |
| 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. | 12and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. |
| 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. | 13At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say. |
| 14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. | 14Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. |
| 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. | 15For some have already turned away to follow 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 widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows. |
| 17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. | 17The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at 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: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, the worker is worthy of his wages. |
| 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. | 19Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. |
| 20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. | 20Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. |
| 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. | 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. |
| 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. | 22Don't be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don't share 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. | 23Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. |
| 24Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. | 24Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. |
| 25Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. | 25Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden. |
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