New International Version NIV
American Standard Version ASV
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
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Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:
2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
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the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
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Honor widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
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But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
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Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
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But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame.
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These things also command, that they may be without reproach.
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
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But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,
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Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, [having been] the wife of one man,
10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
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well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.
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But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.
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having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.
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And withal they learn also [to be] idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
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I desire therefore that the younger [widows] marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
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for already some are turned aside after Satan.
16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
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If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
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Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
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For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
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Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at [the mouth of] two or three witnesses.
20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
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Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
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I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
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Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
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Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
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Some men's sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after.
25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
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In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.