Common English Bible CEB
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Don't correct an older man, but encourage him like he's your father; treat younger men like your brothers,
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Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would a father; treat younger men like brothers,
2 treat older women like your mother, and treat younger women like your sisters with appropriate respect.
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older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity.
3 Take care of widows who are truly needy.
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Honor widows who are real widows.
4 But if a particular widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to respect their own family and repay their parents, because this pleases God.
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If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5 A widow who is truly needy and all alone puts her hope in God and keeps on going with requests and prayers, night and day.
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She who is a real widow, and is left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day;
6 But a widow who tries to live a life of luxury is dead even while she is alive.
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whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Teach these things so that the families will be without fault.
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Command this, so that they may be without reproach.
8 But if someone doesn't provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.
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If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Put a widow on the list who is older than 60 years old and who was faithful to her husband.
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Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband;
10 She should have a reputation for doing good: raising children, providing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress, and dedicating herself to every kind of good thing.
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and she must be well attested for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.
11 But don't accept younger widows for the list. When their physical desires distract them from Christ, they will want to get married.
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But refuse to enrol younger widows; for when they grow wanton against Christ they desire to marry,
12 Then they will be judged for setting aside their earlier commitment.
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and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge.
13 Also, they learn to be lazy by going from house to house. They are not only lazy, but they also become gossips and busybodies, talking about things they shouldn't.
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Besides that, they learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
14 So I want younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their homes so that they won't give the enemy any reason to slander us. (
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So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the enemy no occasion to revile us.
15 Some have already turned away to follow Satan.)
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For some have already strayed after Satan.
16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should take care of them and not burden the church, so that it can help other widows who are truly needy.
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If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are real widows.
17 Elders who lead well should be paid double, especially those who work with public speaking and teaching.
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Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;
18 The scripture says, Don't put a muzzle on an ox while it treads grain, and Workers deserve their pay.
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for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
19 Don't accept an accusation made against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
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Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
20 Discipline those who are sinning in front of everyone so that all the others will be afraid.
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As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
21 I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to follow these practices without bias, and without playing favorites.
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In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without favor, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Don't rush to commission anyone to leadership, and don't participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure.
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Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure.
23 Don't drink water anymore, but use a little wine because of your stomach problems and your frequent illnesses.
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No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some people are obvious, and the sins are judged before the people must face judgment, but the sins of other people show up later.
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The sins of some men are conspicuous, pointing to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
25 In the same way, the good that people do is also obvious and can't be hidden.
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So also good deeds are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.