The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Do not rebuke an older man sharply, but appeal to him as you would to a father; treat younger men like brothers,
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Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:
2 older women like mothers and younger women like sisters, with absolute purity.
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To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.
3 Show respect to widows who are really in need.
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Give honour to widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, first let them learn to do their religious duty to their own family and thus repay some of the debt they owe their forebears, for this is what is acceptable in the sight of God.
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But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.
5 Now the widow who is really in need, the one who has been left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
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Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.
6 But the one who is self-indulgent is already dead, even though she lives.
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But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.
7 And instruct them about this, so that they will not be open to blame.
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Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.
8 Moreover, anyone who does not provide for his own people, especially for his family, has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
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If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.
9 Let a widow be enrolled on the list of widows only if she is more than sixty years old, was faithful to her husband,
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Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,
10 and is known for her good deeds - as one who has reared her children well, showed hospitality, washed the feet of God's people, helped those in trouble, and engaged in all kinds of good work.
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And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they begin to feel natural passions that alienate them from the Messiah, they want to get married.
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But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;
12 This brings them under condemnation for having set aside the trust they had at first.
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And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;
13 Besides that, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't.
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And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.
14 Therefore, I would rather the young widows get married, have children and take charge of their homes, so as to give the opposition no occasion for slandering us.
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So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,
15 For already some have turned astray to follow the Adversary.
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For even now some are turned away to Satan.
16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, she should provide relief for them - the congregation shouldn't be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are really in need.
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If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.
17 The leaders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those working hard at communicating the Word and at teaching.
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Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
18 For the Tanakh says, "You are not to muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,"b in other words, "The worker deserves his wages."
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For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.
19 Never listen to any accusation against a leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. c
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Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.
20 Rebuke before the whole assembly those leaders who continue sinning, as a warning to the others.
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Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.
21 Before God, the Messiah Yeshua and the chosen angels, I solemnly charge you to observe these instructions, not pre-judging and not doing anything out of favoritism.
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I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.
22 Do not be hasty in granting s'mikhah to anyone, and do not share in other people's sins - keep yourself pure.
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Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.
23 Stop drinking water; instead, use a little wine for the sake of your digestion and because of your frequent illnesses.
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Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.
24 The sins of some people are obvious and go ahead of them to judgment, but the sins of others follow afterwards.
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The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them.
25 Likewise, good deeds are obvious; and even when they are not, they can't stay hidden.
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In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.