¹ Do not berate an elder man, but encourage him like a father; younger-men like brethren;

² elder women like mothers; younger women like sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are really widows. {There is no good English wording here for 5:4 and 5:8. Family are to take care of family.}

⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let° them learn first to be devout to their own household and to repay reimbursements to their parents, for$ this is acceptable in God’s sight.

⁵ But honor the one who really is a widow and has been left alone and has hoped upon God and remains in supplications and prayers night and day.

⁶ But she who is self-indulgent has died, while still living.

⁷ Also command these things in-order-that they may be unimpeachable.

⁸ But if anyone is not planning-for his own and especially the ones of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbelieving person.

⁹ Do not let a widow be enrolled who is less-than sixty years old, who had become the wife of one man,

¹⁰ being testified of in good works; if she reared children, if she was hospitable to strangers, if she washed the holy-ones’ feet, if she relieved those being afflicted, if she followed after every good work.

¹¹ But renounce younger widows, for$ whenever they are promiscuous against the Christ, they wish to marry,

¹² and have condemnation, because they rejected their first faith.

¹³ Now at the same-time, they also are learning to be idle, strolling the houses, and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things which it is not essential for anyone.

¹⁴ Therefore, I will the younger widows to marry, to be childbearing, to manage the house, to not give a starting-point to the one who lays in opposition to them because of reviling;

¹⁵ for$ some have already turned themselves aside after the Adversary.

¹⁶ If any believing man or believing woman has relatives who are widows, let this one relieve them and do not let the congregation$ be burdened, in-order-that it may relieve the widows who really are widows.

¹⁷ The elders who are governing well, let° them be deemed worthy of double honor, especially the ones laboring in word and in teaching.

¹⁸ For$ the Scripture says, ‘You will not muzzle a threshing bull.’ {Deu 25:4} And, ‘The worker is worthy of his wages.’ {Lev 19:13}

¹⁹ Do not accept an accusation against an elder {Or: elderly man} , unless upon the testimony of two or three witnesses.

²⁰ Reprove the ones sinning in the sight of all in-order-that the rest may also have fear.

²¹ I am thoroughly testifying in sight of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the chosen messengers in-order-that you should observe these things without prejudice, doing$ nothing according-to bias.

²² Lay hands upon no one quickly, nor share in another’s sins. Keep yourself pure!

²³ No longer be a drinker of water only, but use a small amount of wine because of your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.

²⁴ Some men’s sins are evident, leading them into judgment, but even for some, they are also following after them later.

²⁵ Likewise$ also, the good works are evident, and the ones who have works contrariwise are not able to be hidden.