The Message Bible MSG
New American Standard Bible NAS
1 Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers.
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Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,
2 Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.
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the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Take care of widows who are destitute.
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Honor widows who are widows indeed;
4 If a widow has family members to take care of her, let them learn that religion begins at their own doorstep and that they should pay back with gratitude some of what they have received. This pleases God immensely.
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but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5 You can tell a legitimate widow by the way she has put all her hope in God, praying to him constantly for the needs of others as well as her own.
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Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.
6 But a widow who exploits people's emotions and pocketbooks - well, there's nothing to her.
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But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7 Tell these things to the people so that they will do the right thing in their extended family.
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Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.
8 Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place.
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But 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.
9 Sign some widows up for the special ministry of offering assistance. They will in turn receive support from the church. They must be over sixty, married only once,
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A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 and have a reputation for helping out with children, strangers, tired Christians, the hurt and troubled.
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having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
11 Don't put young widows on this list. No sooner will they get on than they'll want to get off, obsessed with wanting to get a husband rather than serving Christ in this way.
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But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,
12 By breaking their word, they're liable to go from bad to worse,
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thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
13 frittering away their days on empty talk, gossip, and trivialities.
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At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.
14 No, I'd rather the young widows go ahead and get married in the first place, have children, manage their homes, and not give critics any foothold for finding fault.
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Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;
15 Some of them have already left and gone after Satan.
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for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 Any Christian woman who has widows in her family is responsible for them. They shouldn't be dumped on the church. The church has its hands full already with widows who need help.
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If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.
17 Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching.
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The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox," and, "A worker deserves his pay."
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For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
19 Don't listen to a complaint against a leader that isn't backed up by two or three responsible witnesses.
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Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
20 If anyone falls into sin, call that person on the carpet. Those who are inclined that way will know right off they can't get by with it.
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Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.
21 God and Jesus and angels all back me up in these instructions. Carry them out without favoritism, without taking sides.
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I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
22 Don't appoint people to church leadership positions too hastily. If a person is involved in some serious sins, you don't want to become an unwitting accomplice. In any event, keep a close check on yourself.
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Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
23 And don't worry too much about what the critics will say. Go ahead and drink a little wine, for instance; it's good for your digestion, good medicine for what ails you.
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No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some people are blatant and march them right into court. The sins of others don't show up until much later.
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The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.
25 The same with good deeds. Some you see right off, but none are hidden forever.
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Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.